Audi Australia Announces Major Partnership With Melbourne Charity

MELBOURNE – September 12, 2008: Audi Australia yesterday announced a major corporate partnership with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, which was officially formalised in a ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall with the Lord Mayor Cr John So.

Managing Director of Audi Australia, Joerg Hofmann said the partnership comes as Audi continues to strengthen its corporate profile and philanthropic standing within the Melbourne business community.

“The work of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, particularly its numerous initiatives that support Victoria’s homeless, is important and admirable. As the fastest growing luxury automotive brand in Melbourne, Audi and our Victorian Dealer Group, are enthusiastic about the new partnership as it gives us the opportunity to invest back into the community which has supported the growth of our brand,” Mr Hofmann said.

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation CEO Mr Andrew Chappell said the Foundation was delighted with the support received from Audi.

“Our new corporate partnership with Audi is a wonderful opportunity for the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. “We are honoured to be Audi’s philanthropic partner in Melbourne and look forward to working with Audi with regards to their corporate giving opportunities.

“On behalf of the Foundation’s Board and staff, I would like to extend our appreciation to Audi for their support of the Foundation and the 400 charities we assist.”

As an element of the partnership, Audi Australia will loan the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation an Audi A3, which will be used by the administration area of the Foundation to support its work.

Audi Australia will also provide a once in a lifetime Audi Le Mans Experience which will be auctioned at the Heart of Melbourne Ball on 13th September. The successful bidder will enjoy a business class trip for two to join Audi, the reigning champions, at their extensive on track hospitality facilities at the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The trip will also include the extended loan of an Audi A5 coupe for up to three weeks of touring in Europe.

As a result of this new corporate partnership, Audi dealerships in Victoria will also become directly involved in the fundraising initiatives of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

“This corporate partnership demonstrates to the Melbourne Community that Audi is prepared to invest in the market, as a way of thanking customers for their support of the brand in Australia. We are now the Number 1 growth market in the Audi world and believe it is important to give back to the communities that support us. One such measure is our association with the work of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation to progress health, welfare, education, environmental and arts initiatives, throughout Victoria,” Mr Hofmann said.

The LMCF supports over 400 charities throughout Victoria and has been operating continuously for 85 years.