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Audi Breaks All-Time U.S. Sales Record

3 January 2001

Audi Breaks All-Time U.S. Sales Record

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 3 Audi of America reported its
all-time best sales year and has broken its U.S. sales record of 74,061 units
sold in 1985.  Total Audi sales for 2000 are 80,372 up 21.9 percent over 1999
sales of 65,959.  This marks Audi's sixth straight year of double-digit
growth.  For the month, Audi reported sales of 7,440, up 14.8 percent, making
it the best December in company history.
    Audi's current sales success has its beginnings in the mid-90s with the
revitalization of the entire product line.
    The introduction of the first-generation A4 in 1995 was the catalyst that
ignited the sales growth leading to Audi's comeback.  The A8 followed and,
with its revolutionary aluminum spaceframe, reinforced Audi's technology
leadership.  Then came the all-new A6, which redefined luxury in the mid-size
segment with its breakthrough interior and exterior design.
    The arrival of the TT in May 1999 vaulted Audi to the top of the
automotive design world, and rounded out the lineup that would return the
company to its previous U.S. sales heights.  Finally, the versatile Audi
allroad quattro, introduced in early November, leads the company into the
emerging crossover segment.
    Another milestone in 2000 was the 20th anniversary of Audi's permanent
all-wheel drive system, quattro.  Quattro continues to evolve and is now in
its fourth generation.
    The record-breaking sales totals for 2000 are:

    *  TT:  12,027 versus 5,139 in 1999
    *  A4:  34,463 versus 32,208 in 1999
    *  A6:  30,487 versus 26,131 in 1999
    *  allroad quattro:  1,033
    *  A8:  2,362 versus 2,481 in 1999