Audi today reported its February U.S. sales rose 33.6% from a year earlier, led by strong demand for the brand's best-selling A4/S4 models and the continuing popularity of the Audi Q5 crossover, TDI clean diesel technology and the sporty A5/S5 models.
For the month, Audi recorded 6,216 sales compared to 4,653 in February 2009. Through the first two months of 2010, Audi sales increased 35.7% to 12,726 cars and SUVs from 9,375 vehicles sold over the same period in 2009.
"Audi continues to build on the positive U.S. sales momentum gathered throughout 2009," said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. "We are confident that the months ahead will continue to validate how the Audi brand captured the imagination of American premium car consumers."
Among the signs of Audi sales momentum in February:
- The cornerstone of Audi sales – the A4/S4 lineup – turned in a solid month with sales increasing 20.8% from February 2009. February 2009 A4 sales included the A4 cabriolet, which was discontinued last year when the convertible model moved to the A5/S5 lineup.
- TDI clean diesel demand continued to outpace expectations. In February, the Audi A3 TDI constituted 56% of total A3 sales, while the Q7 TDI made up 40% of total Q7 sales. Original forecasts called for TDI models to equal 18-20% of the sales mix for both models. Combined TDI mix for the two models offering the fuel-efficient technology comes to 49% of total sales. Sales of the A3 lineup rose 126% in February – two months after the A3 TDI won the 2010 Green Car of the Year award at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
- The Q5 crossover maintained its strong sales pace from last year and finished as the second-best selling model in the Audi lineup in February despite tight inventories. Inventories of unsold Q5 models stood at a lean 19 days' supply for the month. Typically a 60 days' selling rate is considered average in the automotive industry.
- Sales of the popular A5 coupe rose 41% from February 2009 levels. Overall A5 sales increased 108.3% because of the addition of new cabriolet models late last year.
The inventory of unsold vehicles for Audi in the U.S. market stood at 46 days' supply for all cars and a 22 days' supply for all SUVs.
Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales fell 27.2% in February from a year earlier largely due to tight supplies of used Audi vehicles.
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