Audi has no plans for U.S. factory yet
In 2007, Mercedes sold 253,433 cars, while BMW shifted 293,795. Both of those marques have factories in the U.S., and VW, which has a plant in Puebla, Mexico and is looking for a factory site in America -- sold 230,572 cars. Audi, that darling of the subtle set, sold just 93,506 cars in the U.S. and doesn't feel that's enough cars to warrant building a Stateside factory.Audi's head of U.S. sales, Johan de Nysschen, said that the home of the four rings needs to move at least 150,000 cars here before they'll consider a U.S. plant. The company wants to achieve U.S. sales of 200,000 by 2018 and is committing €11.8 billion -- that's right, euros -- to increase its range from 22 vehicles to 40 by 2015. That sounds like a lot of money and a lot of models to double sales, but Audi knows its business. The model growth and makeovers continue this year with the A5 coupe and new A4, with the Q5 SUV following in early '09.
[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mango 7:22AM (1/15/2008)
40 models?! That just makes Audi less appealing to me. If I'm spending that kind of coin, I want something distinctive and unique. I personally feel their current line up is perfect. They have ever segment covered, just keep adding more power to the mix.
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Random Task 7:53AM (1/15/2008)
Why don't they start off with a general purpose factory with VW? That would make the most sense. A lot of the architecture is shared, it should work.
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Galley 8:35AM (1/15/2008)
My sources tell me that the VW plant they are planning on building in Anderson, SC could easily build Audis on the same line.
Speddy 8:59AM (1/15/2008)
"Hans, yu zee dos Amerikanas in da south are like dos Mexikans"
"Ya, Fritz. Dey eben verk on weekends witout obertime!"
"Dis beer ist on me!"
"dumkopf 'merikans!"
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big L 10:09AM (1/16/2008)
Better plan on setting up an "Audi University" to teach future mechanics/technicians to repair and maintain their cars. Otherwise these cars will be parked.
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