Sustainable Sales Record for Audi in 2012

ZETLAND, AUSTRALIA – Jan 4, 2013: Audi Australia has closed the month of December with a strong sales result of 1,197 vehicles, an increase of 23% compared with December 2011.

In total, the German luxury carmaker has finished 2012 with a full year sales result of 14,535 deliveries to customers – making 2012 the eighth consecutive year of growth for the brand in Australia.

Audi Australia’s managing director, Uwe Hagen, said the result is excellent in a year that has seen business confidence decline and the retail industry affected by the tough economic climate.

“We are very pleased to have closed 2012 with a modest and sustainable increase over the previous year’s sales, especially considering the strength of our 2011 result. We have been successful thanks to our retail organisation’s ability to present the important new vehicles that were launched during the year, including the all-new Audi A1 Sportback, Q3 compact SUV, A4 allroad quattro, A6 Avant and A6 allroad quattro, S6 and S7 as well as critical model upgrades for the A4, A5 and Q5 model ranges,” Mr Hagen said.

“While 2012 wasn’t the easiest year for the retail industry in general, Audi certainly fought strongly to maintain sales at a similar high level to our success in 2011. Our sales rate in the final quarter of the year was very dynamic and early indications are that this pattern will continue into 2013, supported by our January Open Haus retail sales event – in fact our showrooms are buzzing with activity.”

“We are in an excellent position heading into 2013, to ensure we continue our sustainable increases year-on-year.”

2012 was a year of consolidation for the brand, with significant investments made in a new sponsorship strategy that will see Audi more closely connected with customers thanks to numerous hosting opportunities. The company’s major sponsorship pillars include sailing, golf, contemporary art, film and theatre.

Strategic investments by the brand and the retail network in new facilities were another hallmark of 2012, with Audi opening new showrooms in Wagga Wagga (NSW), Mosman (NSW), Perth (WA) and Geelong (VIC), new aftersales facilities in West Melbourne (VIC) and Perth (WA), a significant upgrade to existing facilities in Sutherland (NSW), and appointing new dealers in Tamworth (NSW) and Toowoomba (QLD).

“We are confident that the coming year will see Audi again grow in this market, thanks to our very competitive range of vehicles including the all new Audi A3 Sportback which arrives mid-year, a host of spectacular S and RS models that Audi will unveil in 2013, and a committed national network of dealer partners. Our future is bright,” said Mr Hagen.