Audi celebrates record year
Audi AG's 117th (!) annual general meeting Wednesday was chock full of positive news for shareholders. The company racked up all-time record sales in 2005, but that record doesn't look like it will stand for very long - the first four months of 2006 have been the best in Audi's history.According to Audi chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn, the company will break the one million unit sales mark "as early as the end of 2008." Winterkorn predicts annual sales of at least 1.4 million by 2015.
Adding a little more sparkle to the company's performance is the fact that revenues are rising even faster than unit sales, partly driven by successful upscale models-- notably the A6.
Winterkorn pointed out the importance of global markets to Audi's future growth, noting that two key markets, the U.S. and China, now account for over 22 percent of Audi sales.
[Source: Audi]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hernan 1:42PM (5/18/2006)
That is a good leading indicator for mechanics.
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Benjamin 2:37PM (5/18/2006)
Hernan,
Cut the crap! Audi's have increased in quality rankings every year. Congrats Audi, keep up the great job and keep em commin!
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m 3:56PM (5/18/2006)
Good for Audi, from the bad publicity with the "unintended acceleration" fiasco to this in 15 years. Some definite upward momentum! Although, like any other german car, electrical reliability problems will surely still haunt. I know, i have one..TT
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Takeo 4:03PM (5/18/2006)
Benjamin, they have improved every year, but it's still not a good thing when even the worst American manufacturer puts the vuanted Audi to shame in quality and reliability.
Audi and VW= Teh Suckage
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Jon 4:47PM (5/18/2006)
Takeo,
What are you talking about? Audi interiors put even BMW and most Mercedes (except for the CLS / S / CL / SL, which are the most expensive models) to shame. Also, you do realize that all Lamborghinis are base on Audis right? Also, all the new Bentleys are based on the VW Phaeton.
If you seriously think that American cars are more reliable and have better build quality than Audi you are as blind as Stevie Wonder.
Also, learn how to spell: It?s ?The? not ?Teh?.
Jon.
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Jon 4:47PM (5/18/2006)
Takeo,
What are you talking about? Audi interiors put even BMW and most Mercedes (except for the CLS / S / CL / SL, which are the most expensive models) to shame. Also, you do realize that all Lamborghinis are base on Audis right? Also, all the new Bentleys are based on the VW Phaeton.
If you seriously think that American cars are more reliable and have better build quality than Audi you are as blind as Stevie Wonder.
Also, learn how to spell: It?s ?The? not ?Teh?.
Jon.
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jscro 4:54PM (5/18/2006)
"Benjamin, they have improved every year, but it's still not a good thing when even the worst American manufacturer puts the vuanted Audi to shame in quality and reliability."
Complete bullshit.
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James Fabin 6:45PM (5/18/2006)
I was just saying to some friends how far Audi has come (after getting a little time with the new 2007 Audi RS4). The only area I personally see a need for more attention is on the Interiors - to me they still seem a little dated. But give me the all wheel drive, powerful engine and sporty handling and I'm thinking this could be my next set of wheels.
Check out this video review of the new 2007 Audi RS4: http://www.cartv.com/content/research/vir/index.cfm/Action/Media/media/video/MAKE_VCH/Audi/MODEL_VCH/RS4/?vid=r_0198
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jscro 7:38PM (5/18/2006)
James, do you know Audi is widely known for setting the benchmark when it comes to interior design?
I will say the interior of my 2000 A4 isn't that much different from my friends 2006 S4. I guess don't mess with perfection. ;)
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Jeff Crew 1:06AM (5/19/2006)
"8. I was just saying to some friends how far Audi has come (after getting a little time with the new 2007 Audi RS4). The only area I personally see a need for more attention is on the Interiors - to me they still seem a little dated. But give me the all wheel drive, powerful engine and sporty handling and I'm thinking this could be my next set of wheels."
Wow. I am glad you bought a RS4, but I am not sure who's interiors you have been sitting in. You have one of the best interiors on the market. Every mfg. is trying to catch up to Audi in regards to the interior quality, design, and performance. Now Audi is giving us the RS line of cars that dominates all other performance cars on the road above and beyond the S line...and you still don't see it? I guess you really miss the EU steering wheel that they could not bring over here based on regs... I wish we had the Cabrio RS4 for sure, the Avant would be nice, but the Cabrio is perfect for the North American market just as much as the RS4 Sedan.
Enjoy your ride!
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dur 10:10AM (5/19/2006)
It seems like Audi's prices have fallen. I didn't realize you could get an a4 2.0T for under US$30k. I seem to recall seeing an a4 3.0 for like US$40k a few years ago and was sticker-shocked straight out of the showroom
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U buy it then 12:22AM (5/20/2006)
"1. That is a good leading indicator for mechanics."
I agree. There seems to be a more assertive defense of VW/Audi products on this forum and that's fine. You may be right that there are indicators of improved reliability in these cars. But I'm not yet willing to gamble with my own money to find out. Remember, short-term quality is not the problem. Please get back to us in 2 or 3 years with the results of your own experiements....
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