Audi exec wants to bring A1 Stateside
click above imge for more high-res pics of the Audi Metroproject quattro Concept
Even though the A3 hasn't been the sales success that Audi execs had hoped for, the automaker's CEO, Rupert Stadler, is considering bring the smaller A1 to market here in the U.S. Times and tastes change, and Audi figures that when production of the A1 begins towards the end of 2009, sales in North America could be feasible.
In addition to the A1, Audi has plans to become all things to all people, including new variations of the A4, plus the introduction of the Q5 CUV and the A7, a four-door coupe currently under development.
[Source: Autoweek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hank 4:41PM (11/07/2007)
steaksauce!!
sorry couldn't resist lol
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CJ 5:04PM (11/07/2007)
Ha! Now I wont be able to think of anything else when I see that car! The more I look at it, the less I like it.
Maestro1 4:48PM (11/07/2007)
The biggest mistake Audi made was not bringing the A3 Coupe to the US. That car was HOT! I loved driving it when I leased one and would totally buy one if it came over here. Afterall, people buy Golf 2-door hatches these days...
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BKadalur 4:51PM (11/07/2007)
the A1 will do well if it has quattro. that was a big problem with the A3, since quattro is not available on the 2.0T A3, it is only available on the 3.2 FSI.
is all levels of the A1 atleast offer quattro, it will do well.
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Val 8:08PM (11/07/2007)
From the concept press release, i remember it had a ICE driving the front wheels and electric motor driving the back wheels, and should also be capable of goin both electric-only (so it must have some batteries) and on both, sort of quattro, but not really. If this comes to the series production model, it will be a small revolution, IMO.
naggs 5:11PM (11/07/2007)
it is will be a nice handeling premium small car, what are VWs supposed to be again?
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Maestro1 5:13PM (11/07/2007)
Well from the recent news reports, VW allegedly wants to match Toyota as the everyman's car now...so I guess they are moving downmarket somewhat...
Thomas Mulroy 6:50PM (11/07/2007)
If and when these execs wake up and start putting diesel engines in their product, like they do in Europe, they will see their sales increase more than "feasible".
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BigQid 3:45PM (11/08/2007)
Its Audi's mini. It will do fine if it stays cheap. It just has to be fuel efficient, provide respectable acceleration, handle well, and keep the price down. How hard is that? Lexus should give it a shot too.
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equipe 7:26PM (11/08/2007)
Put that electric motor Lithium Ion battery in an A4 and I'm sold...
Even in it's current incarnation, I'd still seriously consider the A1.
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smarkle 7:11PM (11/07/2007)
If you're listening Audi, I would totally buy this car... I've owned two MINIs (one hard top, one convertible) and I love that the A1 concept offers a stylish, modern take on the premium compact -- without delving into the me-too retro look that's starting to feel a little tired. I am currently driving an '07 A3. It's one of the best cars I've ever owned. After a decade of driving mostly BMW produts (E30 and E46 convertibles and the aforementioned MINIs), I am thoroughy won over to Audi.
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zamafir 1:36AM (11/08/2007)
I'm with you, bring over the CUBE-esc electric/petrol drive and i'd buy one in a heart beat, provided they don't dull down the styling.
Mark 7:54PM (11/07/2007)
The A3 has not done poorly in the U.S. It was never meant to sell at high volumes.
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Owen 10:43PM (11/07/2007)
I really liked the A3 styling, inside and out, but I didn't buy it because:
A. It cost too much for what you get in my opinion. The subaru is creepin in on it's performance territory for much less $$$, but just isn't as nice of a car, but does "niceness" justify an extra 10K option for option?
B. I couldn't get quattro with the 2.0T
C. No diesel, the only problem however, is that if they did offer it, it would probably end up costing more than the 3.2 which would just kill the whole point of buyin it to begin with.
All that said, I really hope we do see small car sales start to take off here in the states. The problem is that the only reason that would happen is because of gas prices, however, the A3, doesn't do a whole lot better than the A4. The A3 could stand to lose about 300 lbs.
Alex 9:29PM (11/07/2007)
consider that gas prices are steadily rising, small cars will grow significantly in popularity.
personally i love the A1. I was going just go buy a civic hybrid. after hearing about this car i decided to push my 1992 maxima a little longer and await this car. if i remember correctly the motor car go 60 miles w/o a charge. that'll get me to work and back every day with a few miles to spare and the engine won't need to be turned on once!
Audi, if you are reading this, I am one guaranteed buyer.
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Alex 9:31PM (11/07/2007)
ohh... and an optional diesel up front would be AWESOME!
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Noah 9:04AM (11/08/2007)
Audi's A3 failures are their own fault...
1) horrible lease program making it prohibitive to lease the car (bad choice for that market segment!)
2) no model the enthusiasts wanted (quattro & manual & preferably 2.0T) -- maybe dictated by VW?
3) lame marketing & advertising compared with other efforts (maybe because they didn't want to risk cannibalizing A4 sales?)
The A3 is a great chassis and could have been a lot greater if they'd brought the model here that everyone keeps asking the dealers for -- fuel efficient 2.0T with quattro (that's what differentiates Audi) and ideally with a stickshift option.
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RicardoHead 11:30PM (11/07/2007)
A3's problem was simple: too expensive.
If Audi builds the A1 here or in Mexico so it can be priced right, it'll sell (I know I'd buy one). If it's priced anywhere near Volvo's C30 then they may as well forget it - it'll never hit the volumes they need.
On other problem with the current A3 is that it is far uglier than the car it replaced - especially the original A3 coupe. That thing was sweet and a great drive.
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Ralph 12:00AM (11/08/2007)
This A1 could be a great seller for Audi, but its anyone's guess as to whether or not they'd be able to bring the right combination(s) to entice US buyers.
I have to agree with the comments that Audi did not market the A3 well here in the US. If they had offered this car with a diesel engine and Quatro AWD I'd very likely have one in my garage.
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josh83 6:05AM (11/08/2007)
So, what do you think? Does the Audi A1 have a chance to bring Audi back up from the A3 slump? Check out my poll
http://www.pollsb.com/polls/poll/3641/will-the-audi-a1-bring-audi-back-up-from-the-a3-slump
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