Audi's Sustainable Sales Success Continues

ZETLAND, AUSTRALIA – Aug 4, 2011: Strong July figures have ensured Audi Australia’s sales success continues unabated with ongoing sustainable growth and healthy financial results. Internationally, the Audi Group is enjoying similar success with record sales figures and outstanding fiscal results.

Audi Australia continues to set sales records, with its sustainable growth strategy paying dividends across the board. With a solid 1,030 sales in July, Audi Australia’s year-to-date sales stand at 9,024 – representing a year-on-year growth rate of an outstanding 9.4 percent and the only premium manufacturer to record growth this year.

Sales of the breakthrough Audi A1 are outstanding, exceeding expectations in its first full year on sale and quickly establishing itself as a core pillar of the Audi volume strategy. At the other end of the scale, the A7 Sportback and A8 limousine are recording excellent results and mark Audi as a force to be reckoned with in the high-end C and D segment.

The Audi Q5’s popularity remains as strong as ever – the Audi Q5 continues its position as the market leader in the premium SUV segment.

These sales success stories mean Audi is four years ahead of its internal plan and targets, continuing to make strides with outstanding product and an expanding dealer network.

“This continued success is a reflection of the commitment and dedication of the entire Audi Australia network,” said Audi Australia Managing Director, Uwe Hagen.

“As we continue to build our sales, we will continue to expand our presence in Australia, and by the end of this year we will have invested more than $250 million into our dealer network with a number of new or thoroughly upgraded sites.”

“Our increasing success in the C and D segment is particularly exciting and is set to continue with the recent launch of the all-new A6, which is our definition of the business-class sedan.”

Internationally, the Audi Group is enjoying similar success, with 652,970 Audi vehicles deliver in the first half of the year. This strong growth has been achieved with the success of the A1, A7 Sportback, A8 and Q-family.

The profitability of the Audi Group has also risen. With an operating return on sales of 11.8 percent (2010: 7.6 percent), the company has clearly surpassed its goal of achieving a long-term average return of 8 to 10 percent.

“After the highly successful first six months we also intend to achieve a double-digit operating return on sales in the second half of 2011,” said Axel Strotbek, Board Member for Finance and Organisation.

Yet the CFO also made reference to the ongoing risks: “Given the immense public debt of significant economies, the volatile trend in markets and the rise in the price of key commodities, which is primarily driven by speculation, the entire automotive industry is facing huge challenges.”

That said, the company is confident that it can continue its growth trend. The worldwide availability of the new A6 Limousine and market launches of the A6 Avant

and Q3 are set to drive growth in the second half 2011 and into the future.