Audi sales surge with help from diesels

So far, 2010 has been a very good year for Audi in the U.S. market and diesel engines are playing a part in the surge. Right now, Audi is only offering two TDI models in this market: the big Q7 SUV and the compact A3. In both cases, diesel market share is far exceeding initial projections. Audi had expected diesels to account for about 18-20 percent of the sales of those models, but the TDI made up 56 percent of all A3 sales in February. The Q7 is now up to 40 percent TDI after several months in the low 30 percent range.

In the first two months of 2010, sales of the A3 have more than doubled compared to the same period a year ago with almost all of the extra sales being diesels. Like most other SUVs, the Q7 is down for the year but the availability of the TDI has definitely cushioned the blow. Perhaps the success of the A3 and Q7 will prompt Audi to expand the diesel lineup here, including their biggest volume model the A4.

Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Audi]

PRESS RELEASE

Audi maintains momentum with 33.6% February sales increase in U.S. market
- Demand for best-selling A4/S4 models rose nearly 21% for the month
- Audi Q5 and A5/S5 models continued to show consumer appeal
- TDI clean diesel models made up nearly half of all A3 and Q7 sales

HERNDON, Va., Mar 2, 2010 - 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.



ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America, Inc. and its 270 U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2009 Audi outsold all other luxury brands in Europe, while in the U.S. market Audi posted the largest market share gain of any luxury automotive brand. Over the next few years, AUDI AG expects to spend nearly $2 billion annually on new products and technology. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

AUDI US SNAPSHOT				-----YEAR TO DATE-----
Model Line	Feb-10 Actual	Feb-09 Actual	Yr/Yr % change	Feb-10 YTD Actual	Feb-09 YTD Actual	Yr/Yr % change
A3	434	192	126.0	902	419	115.3
A4	2,660	2,202	20.8	5,423	4,260	27.3
A5	1,029	494	108.3	2,080	1,097	89.6
A6	507	445	13.9	1,014	1,221	-17.0
A8	34	75	-54.7	86	170	-49.4
Audi Q5	1,060	627	69.1	2,110	658	220.7
Audi Q7	366	438	-16.4	839	1,106	-24.1
R8	34	47	-27.7	77	154	-50.0
TT	92	133	-30.8	195	290	-32.8
Total Audi Sales	6,216	4,653	33.6%	12,726	9,375	35.7%

NOTES:
- 2010 A4 numbers include Audi A4 sedan, Avant, and S4 models. 2009 A4 numbers include A4 cabriolet, which has been discontinued.
- 2010 A5 numbers include Audi A5 cabriolet and coupe and S5 cabriolet coupe models. 2009 A5 numbers do not include the cabriolet models.
- A6 includes Audi A6 sedan, S6 sedan and A6 Avant models.
- A8 includes Audi A8 sedan, A8L sedan, and S8 sedan models.
- TT includes Audi TT coupe' and TT roadster models.