Audi's Managing Director Departs Australia After 5th Record Year

ZETLAND, AUSTRALIA – January 15, 2010: Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann, will leave the company in January 2010, after steering the company to its fifth year of record growth.

Hofmann, who took over the reins at Audi Australia at the end of 2004, will take up a new role in Audi’s biggest market, Germany, as Managing Director of AUDI AG’s Retail Network, based at the company’s headquarters in Ingolstadt.

He undoubtedly leaves Audi Australia on a high note – with a 2009 year end result of 11,310 units, blitzing the previous sales record of 9,410 units (2008) by an incredible 20 percent.

In the five years since the end of 2004 when Hofmann arrived in Australia, sales have tripled from 3,700 units (2004 result) and market share has also increased threefold from 0.5 percent to 1.55 percent (according to VFACTS total passenger and SUV sales FY 2009).

During that time, the company achieved year-on-year growth of 30 percent in 2005 (compared with 2004), 20 percent growth in 2006, 25 percent in 2007, 30 percent in 2008 and now 20 percent growth in 2009.

In August last year, Hofmann opened the world’s largest Audi Terminal – known as the Audi Lighthouse Sydney – home to the brand’s Australian head office and retail operation, Audi Centre Sydney.

The plan for the $50 million development was conceived by Hofmann in 2005, and represents a clear commitment by the company to the long term growth of Audi in Australia.

Hofmann is extremely proud of the achievements the company has made in the past five years, but believes the time has come for a new challenge.

“I’m proud to have lead this dynamic company to its 5th record year – actually now also our 60th month of growth, tripled our sales and to have opened the world’s largest new Audi Terminal in Sydney,” Mr Hofmann said.

“Our success is due to our clear growth strategy, strong direction, focused team and very supportive dealer network who will collectively invest around $170 million dollars in facilities by the end of 2010.

“Without doubt, this time in Australia has been the highpoint of my career to-date and I am extremely sad to leave the company, my colleagues and the many friends that my wife and I have made here in five unforgettable years. However, it is time for me to take on a new role and a new challenge and re-establish the roots of my family in Germany,” Mr Hofmann said