Audi's January 2018 Global Sales Soar 20.3% On Strong U.S. and China Demand

Audi kicked off 2018 with substantial sales growth. In January, the brand delivered around 149,100 premium automobiles to customers worldwide, up 20.3 percent year-on-year. A sharp increase in China (+73.0%) in particular was a key factor, contrasting with the slowdown in sales a year ago as the company negotiated with its local partners. The brand with the four rings also again clearly increased sales in North America (+9.8%). In Europe (-2.2%), sales in January were, however, slightly below the record-breaking level from 2017.

“It’s a good start to a crucial year for Audi,” says Bram Schot, Board member for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG. “2018 will be shaped by our model initiative. But with this initiative we are laying the foundations for growth over the next few years.” In the course of the year the main focus will be on the full-size segment. The new A7 will be launched, and Audi will bring out the next generation of the A6, together with two brand-new full-size SUVs: the Q8 and the all-electric powered Audi e-tron.
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cidflekken - 2/15/2018 12:59:25 AM

+3 Boost

So:

Audi - 149,100
BMW - 148,400
Mercedes - 193,414

Mercedes is off to a huge start this year, with a 10% increase in SUV sales, and a 10% increase in E-Class sales (despite those writing off the E-class here in the US..you know who you are). Audi made a huge comeback in China, but still behind Mercedes, but both way ahead of BMW.

GermanNut - 2/15/2018 9:51:32 AM

-1 Boost

Audi's extremely strong growth signals that it's new design, technology and overall strategy is working.

So BMW falls to 2nd place in the U.S. and globally for the last 2 years (due to a U.S. sales decline in each of the last 2 years)and now could fall to 3rd place globally.

malba2367 - 2/15/2018 10:54:04 AM

+1 Boost

BMW will fall to 3rd place globally soon. They have failed to innovate beyond adding more horsepower for 3 generations now. The release of the C class 4 years ago was a shot across the bow...and from the looks of it (spy shots, and the X3 interior) BMW has not really responded. I hope to be pleasantly surprised by the new 3 series but from the looks of things I am not optimistic. I also think BMW's sales numbers (especially in the US) are a bit inflated by punching cars. You can see this if you look for used cars and see lots of "used" BMWs with very low miles on them...one dealer near me at one point had over a hundred of these cars for sale all current year with a couple thousand miles on them. They were all marked as executive demos, so BMW USA probably booked sales, let their employees drive the cars around for a couple months and then sold them as used.

Audi has a real winner in the Q5, which is the leader in probably the most competitive segment right now and the A4 is doing very well also. They also have new Q3, A6 and A7 product coming out shortly which should help them increase sales.

carsnyc - 2/15/2018 11:52:05 AM

+4 Boost

For Audi, in general:
-Yes, some new interesting technology (or a good way to use what's already there)
-Yes, a good strategy that includes enough SUVs and a solid foot in China
-BMW's slow and painful to watch downfall

Against Audi:
-Same tired exterior design
-It just doesn't feel that special and it still trails BMW

llaroo - 2/15/2018 12:38:54 PM

0 Boost

If you owned an Audi you might feel different. I've had 2 BMW's and on my 4th Audi, and yes I prefer Audi for many reasons, its all personal

malba2367 - 2/15/2018 2:17:37 PM

+3 Boost

BMW used to be special...but they have stayed in place while Audi and Mercedes made quantum leaps in their vehicles. Audi did so 2 generations ago (this generation wit the Q7), and Mercedes did so this past refresh of the C/E class and will be upcoming with their SUVs. This leaves BMW models looking somewhat aged compared to the competition.