Can They Be Stopped? Audi Posts Best First Quarter Ever

Talk about a subject designed to incite flame wars! Who says Audi needs to be stopped? Who says they're unstoppable? Who says a few months of good sales means they are likely to become the undisputed leader of what-have-you?

Steve says Audi makes some cars that appeal to some, and not to others. And that's not news, either.

How is Audi going downmarket exactly? What dumb answer! BMW is soon to release a set of FWD small cars along with expanding the 1-Series. Mercedes-Benz is developing the A and B Classes "downmarket" and Lexus just launched their first small entry level luxury car. How is that when Audi does it, it is going "down market", but the other three copiers do it it smart marketing sense for the changing automotive environment. Bit disingenious and hyprocritical of you. Also, Audi's upper cars such as the upcoming A6, the new A7, and the A8 along with its SUVs, not to mention the R8 are selling quite well (>25% above last year so far). So stop with Bullsh%t dude! Also, BMW And MB are or have 4-cylinder engines. There is nothing low end about that.

I wonder how much more they would have made if they could Actually keep up with demand, def the most exciting luxury brand right now except for their vw engines. I just laugh when I see an A5 passnme wit the 2.0T engine that they offer in almost all VWs.

And I laugh at silly little kids like you who make fun of VW engines just because it says "VW" on them. How pathetic are you?

VW makes some excellent engines. VW is a leader in engine innovation and technology. Many firms even outsource VW engines including Dodge in Europe (TDI engines for the Caliber) and even Mercedes (sourced a VW V6 engine for their V Class vans). Not to mention a number of other manufacturers in Europe use certain VW engines. Big deal.

That's like saying "Lexus sucks because they use Toyota engines." Literally.

IMHO Audi is the most focued of the luxury automaker.

The 2.0T in the A4, A5, and Q5 are not the same as what you get in the Jetta, Passat, etc. The Audi variant puts out a little more horsepower and a lot more torque. Going from a last generation A4 to the current one (and I had a last generation A4 as a loaner last weekend while my car was in for standard service), there is a noticiple difference between the two. Not to mention, the 2.0T is highly praised in various reviews. So much so that BMW and the crowd are moving to similiar setups in upcoming vehicles

Its the same motor, they problably just have a software update that changes the engine mapping slightly, and power output with it for audi models.

Not completely true, the Audi engines use Audi Valvelift a more advanced valvetrainsystem.

2.0T TSI and 2.0T TFSI are totally two different engines. The new 2.0T in A4, A5, Q5, A6,... are much smoother and quieter. The old one in A3, and VW cars are lack of refinement.

I wouldnt call it an attack. It's just letting the FACTS be known. While the Audi fanboys make it sound like their brand is the best thing since sliced bread, and that Audi is shaking up the premium segment, and can do no wrong.

Its far from the truth. While audi is gaining market share, they are growing rapidly because they were so much smaller than the competition. Once they reach the level of MB, and BMW it will platue its basic economics. Unless they Keep selling models that are farther down market than BMW, and MB to gain market share...like the A1.Or that over 60% of their models sold are base level FWD versions. While FWD DOES have its place in the premium sector. I dont think its very premium for over 60% of you business to be comprised of FWD. I would consider MB a much more premium brand compared to audi, so the fact audi surpasses them in sales means very little.

Never said FWD didnt not equal luxury,as i said above FWD has its place in the premium sector, but as far as Audi's offerings go with the options of AWD or FWD, FWD represents the cheaper entry level option of the two...and that represents 68% of their business. And Cigarguy putting FWD aside in an earlier disscussion we brought to light that the A1 and A3 are priced lower than any of BMW or MB entry level offerings(a1 starts at 15K euros, MB A class starts at 21K eruos). So where most of Audis sales are A4 or smaller..most of MB sales are C class or higher. Their bussiness is skewed in the different extreams of the premium segment. So while Audi may sell more cars they are on the lower end of the spectrum which allows you to sell more.

"Audi owners as the most wealthy clientele" That means nothing it is a worthless fact. Just b/c someone is rich doesn't mean they will necessary buy the most high end model. A lot of people get rich by counting pennies.

There's no stopping Audi.
I think they must be underpricing their vehicles. ;)

Since bmw fanboys love comparos, I would suggest checking out the latest Car and Driver (May 2011) comparison of the bmw 750Li, the Jaguar XJL, and teh Audi A8L:

1st: Audi A8L
2nd: Jaguar XJL
3rd: bmw 750Li

Of course bmw fanboys will find a way to state that bmw was cheated and a multitude of other excuses for its third place. Anyway, what does pricing have to do with if an A8L easily tops $105,000 nicely optioned and an A8L W12 goes north of $150,000 fully optioned. A fully optioned A3 can easily tip $40,000. Somehow that doesn't strike one as a "bargin price." MRSPs are very miss leading.

Check any annual sales break down by model, and then compare it to Mercedes.


Can I get a super Charged V6, a V8 or W12 in FWD??? NO! Only in quattro.

So FWD represents the entry-level/base models of Audis lineup...correct?

SO when nearly 70% of you business are FWD models....put the pieces together.


The wealthy client demographic is what you want to target, but they are obviously not buying the most high end models...The ford F-150 is the most popular vehicle bought by millionaires.

Hey bmwcs, CigarGuy asked you a question which you avoided nicely because your info is BS:

btw, got a link to back up that "...most of Audis sales are A4 or smaller"?

I guess that is why the A6 has been the top global seller in its class for several year running. Audi has outsold bmw and Mercedes-Benz for several years running and its not off their smaller models either. Check the ANE sales stats on that.