Audi Places Another Notch In The Belt By Overtaking Acura In YTD Sales

LOL, does he realize this article actually bodes well for Acura and not Audi...

The fact that he is boastful about Audi overtaking a car maker with 4 or 5 models two based on a Honda Accord...is rather embarrassing

ummmm congratulations...Audi LOL

Really? Overtaking a distant 4th place is the headliner article on Autospies?

This article is so bias it's ridiculous. Why not compare Audi's results on a global level instead? As we all very well know, Audi is ahead of Mercedes-Benz globally YTD and is nipping at BMW's heels. Audi actually outsold both BMW and Mercedes-Benz globally for the first three months of 2014.

Should we congratulate Mercedes-Benz for improving its sales in China although it still is in third place way behind Audi?

"Should we congratulate Mercedes-Benz for improving its sales in China although it still is in third place way behind Audi?"

Well, that depends. Benz (and BMW) are growing much faster in China than Audi is, and you are constantly spouting off about Audi's growth rates in the U.S. when they're bringing up the rear in terms of sheer numbers (and in reality are actually falling further behind, not gaining ground, despite higher growth percentages, because 15% growth on 10k units is less than their competitors 10% growth on 20k+ units). So, tell you what, in the interest of fairness for everyone let's make a deal:

A) you can keep doing that, but then yes, we get to talk about and congratulate Benz (or whoever else) when they outpace Audi, especially on Audi's "home turf" (China). Or,

B) you can quit your yammering.

I know which one we'd all prefer, but let's see which one you choose.

"Should we congratulate Mercedes-Benz for improving its sales in China although it still is in third place way behind Audi?"

- You mean the same way you continually tout Audi's consecutive-month growth in the US despite being FAR behind MB and BMW? You can't have it both ways.

It is a milestone for Audi USA. Considering just a few short years ago Acura was triple the volume of Audi.

The point is that Audi is addressing the competition here and they are not fighting back. While Infiniti might have been a foregone conclusion Acura was not.

Remember in:

2006 Acura was over 200,000 units for the year
2012 Acura was at 156,000 units

That is not going in the right direction.

Well, let's not forget 009 that Acura stopped production of the Integra/RSX in 2006. So, easily their volume was expected to decrease without the volume-driving entry-level model. So, you can't really compare Acura prior to 2006 and Acura post 2006. Granted, discontinuing the RSX (and the CL) was not the smartest move, but it was understandable with the direction wanted to go.

And Acura ended 2013 with 165,000 units.

Until the headline reads: "Audi overtakes Lexus" can it be taken seriously as a sales force in the US market.

The good news is that Audi continues to show progress. The bad news is that it continues to be significantly behind the Big 3. And, yes, this write-up actually puts Acura in a good light since "almost every new model misses the mark", yet they have continually bested Audi and Infiniti, who, supposedly, have superior product offering. And the delays of the RLX SH and TLX isn't going to help their cause. The true tale of the tape (for 4th place) will come during Q4 when Acura's lineup should in full production mode and Audis' A3 sales should be normalized after its initial introduction. (And let's just add that Mercedes will be adding the new C and GLA to their lineup so they may overtake BMW by year-end)

While that is true, it just goes to show that cheap sells in volume.

Walmart outsells Neiman Marcus and Nordstroms combined but in no way can they be compared.

Two entirely different segments and quality levels.

I guess McDonalds serves the best burgers too? Oh yeah, talking about reliability, how many cars were recalled by TM this past few years? LoL

reviews keep drinking the kool aid, LoL. And BTW are you implying that because they are made in Mexico they are unreliable?

Oh Ok, let me see. Just a FEW (too many to post) examples below which make me think that I much rather have a SAFE "unreliable" car than a "reliable" car full of recalls that my cost my life (just look at GM). Not sure what to call these problems with the cars below, crappy "unreliable" cars? Oh no, they are recalls. Call it what you want, this are quality issues.
Recalls: Honda recalls nearly 10,000 new Civic models over pinched tires

Recalls: Honda S2000, Acura RSX recalled over brake boosters
Recalls: Honda recalls 2012-13 Fit Sport models over stability control issue
Recalls: Honda recalling 204k CR-V, Odyssey, Acura RDX models over rollaway risk
Recalls: Honda recalling 183k cars and crossovers over unintended braking issue

@reviews - Reliability does not equal recalls?

Tell that those who died in cobalt crashes due to the ignition switch failure that isn't reliability.

What is reliability? It should be things that worked as expected.

It is silly to think that a fuse that blows randomly is considered a reliability issue. But doors that fall off due to incorrect welds are not.

Picking off the sick and wounded like Acura is a mixed accomplishment at best.

A big reason for Audi's lack of success in the U.S. market was due to fewer models than the competition. Now we are seeing what happens when the lineup expands to include the A3 Sedan and soon the highly popular Q3 SUV. Once Audi starts growing its portfolio of SUVs to include the Q4, Q6 and Q8, Audi's numbers will skyrocket. I really think Audi can run this streak of consecutive monthly sales records to 60 months.

It's important to remember Audi's success has been created on a small lineup of models. If Audi can maintain its same brand attributes across the ever-growing model portfolio the competition better watch its back because Audi will make huge inroads in the U.S. market and overtake BMW globally as the world's best-selling premium brand.

Wait the a4, a6, and a8 get outsold nearly 2:1 by the c/E/S and 3/5/7 b/c Audi offers fewer models in its lineup?

Nuttie, you must seriously get very dizzy from all the spinning you do.

Here's reality, as MercedesSL clearly pointed out: Every model that Audi sells, outside of the Q5 and A7, is easily outsold by its direct competitors from MB/BMW/Lexus. Yes, Audi may not have a full array of coupe offerings, i.e., E-class coupe or 6 Series, but those aren't volume drivers. The fact is, Audi had to introduce a very mainstream offering (A3) in order to pass ACURA, and not even still come close to the Big 3. Technically, none of the Big 3 offers a direct competitor to the A3 (and NO, the CLA is NOT a direct competitor since it's a niche product and neither is the 2 Series). Can you imagine if the Big 3 did offer a <$30k car with the same interior dimensions of the 3/C/IS?

And speaking of lineups. Acura has been besting Audi without a proper flagship, without a performance car, without any coupes, without any convertibles, without a 4-door coupe, with questionable styling, and with questionable powertrains (ILX).

Won what debate? What a childish mentality. I didn't know we were competing but I guess you won my friend, I think am getting dumber talking to you.

Audi is missing a Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, BMW 6-Series Coupe, BMW 2-Series and BMW X6 competitor in the U.S. market.

Yes, these may not be volume models but there is no denying Audi offers fewer models than BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. When you combine sales of the 6-Series Coupe and X6 it accounts for just under 6,800 units YTD.

The S-Class coupe isn't even out yet and the current CL's sales numbers have dwindled to nothing. Imagine the sales #s when that baby gets officially into the dealer lots. And the E-class coupe is a small percentage of total E-class sales. And in some ways, the A5/S5/RS5 and the A5/S5 Cabriolet overlaps with the C-class coupe, E-class coupe and convertible, and 6 Series coupe/convertible.

Since you want to nitpick low-volume cars, neither MB or BMW have a true TT competitor (though the 2 Series could be seen as filling that gap) and BMW doesn't have an R8 competitor.

BTW I am thinking of buying a new GTI, will see how "unreliable" it will be.

To clarify, MB and BMW don't have a true competitor to the TT coupe as they have the SLK and Z4 up against the TT roadster.

The new i8 could be seen as a competitor to the R8.

Fortunately, the U.S. is not the entire world and globally Audi's sales are doing just fine.

I guess same goes for my LEXUS, rebadged TOYOTA?

Oh wait, didn't we already do that with the PRIUS? I wonder what you drive.

Good for you, I have a LS460 which I purchased brand new and have had my fair share of issues (not as reliable as everyone thinks). So if you are also driving a rebadge model, what is your problem when AUDI does it? All manufacturers are doing nowadays to cut costs.

No you ignoramus, my one isolated example doesn't speak for all but your assumptions do. What are you, 15 y/o? My point is that people like you are making assumptions and statements on products you have never owned. Besides the LS, we also have a TOUAREG and a MINI. Owned them for over a few years and never had any reliability issues. Unlike you, I am not obsessed with any car brand, I buy whatever I like.

@Reviews, you really think you were engaging in a debate? You didn't go to college, did you?

Audi, makes some really nice desirable and distinctive luxury cars with great technology such as the R8, TT-RS, A7, S4 (pretty much all S models) and the Q5. And like all companies, others are lacking such as the A4, A5, A3, Q7, A6 2.0T, and surprisingly, the A8. Glad they are selling more cars, or rather SUVs, overall. While it might seem like a non-event to BMW, MB, and now a resurgent Lexus, US sales over 16K in one month is huge news for Audi. Overcoming Acura is not a such huge accomplishment given how they have struggled in the past few years with oddly styled models and the slow selling and overpriced ILX. Actually, it's a bit embarrassing that it took Audi as long as it did to surpass Acura in sales, but they did earn it. However, once the TLX production gets ramped up for sales, it is possible that Acura could surpass Audi again.