Audi Reports its Third-Best October for U.S. Sales

HERNDON, Va., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ --

• Last month only trailed record set in October 2008 by 1.1%
• Consumer demand continues to surge for the Audi Q5 crossover
• Strong sales seen with the Audi Q7 TDI® and the all-new A5 Cabriolet
  

Audi today reported October sales in the U.S. of 7,358 luxury performance cars and SUVs, a result that approached the all-time October record set by the brand a year earlier.

The latest full-month sales only trailed the 7,443 Audi vehicles sold in October 2008 following the introduction of the all-new Audi A4, and the 7,420 sold in October 2007, when the U.S. luxury car market was nearing its sales peak in the U.S.

"There can be no questioning the enthusiasm for the Audi brand that continues as we unveil new products and build on the momentum we've established in prestige and customer satisfaction," said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. "We believe the long-term value of our products speaks for itself. Clearly, the American consumer is listening."

Demand continued to surge in October for the Audi Q5 3.2 quattro®, which has exceeded sales expectations since its introduction in February 2009. Despite restricted supply, Audi reported sales of 1,238 Q5 models for the most recent month, a pace that suggests the Audi crossover remains one of the fastest turning cars on dealer lots in the U.S.

Audi had a 15-days supply of unsold Q5 models in its sales pipeline at the end of October.

The Audi A5/ S5 coupes also remained extremely popular with October sales increasing 28% and year-to-date sales jumping 45.3% from the first 10 months of 2008.

American interest in the exceptional performance and efficiency found in Audi TDI clean diesel technology continued to build in October. TDI clean diesel technology delivers 30% better fuel-economy than a comparable gasoline-powered engine and produces 20% less greenhouse gas. Sales of the Audi Q7 TDI increased to 41% of all Q7 models sold during the month. That far exceeded original expectations that demand for the TDI models would equal 15-18% of Q7 sales. Partly as a result of strong TDI sales, inventories of unsold Q7 models stood at a 24-days supply.

Based on preliminary industry sales reports, Audi is confident its year-to-date share of the imported luxury vehicle market in the U.S. will approach the 8.6% level registered by the record October sales of 2008. Audi expects to show it remains the best-performing luxury brand with regard to year-over-year sales performance for year-to-date 2009.

Audi sold 5,449 cars and 1,909 SUVs in October.

Audi will continue its new-product momentum later this month with the launch of the Audi A3 TDI®. This model will revolutionize fuel efficiency in the luxury segment by achieving 42 mpg in highway driving, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That's a fuel economy rating unmatched by all other luxury models.

ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi lineup is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. In selling one million vehicles worldwide in 2008, AUDI AG recorded its 13th consecutive record year for sales growth.

    AUDI US SNAPSHOT                               -----YEAR TO DATE-----
    ----------------
    Model Line          Oct-09  Oct-08  Yr/Yr %  Oct-09    Oct-08    Yr/Yr %
    ----------          Actual  Actual  Change    YTD       YTD      Change
                                                 Actual    Actual
                        ------  ------  ------   ------    -------   ------
    A3                    254     255    -0.4    2,911      3,989     -27.0
    -------               ---     ---    ----    -----      -----     -----
    A4                  3,016   3,784   -20.3   30,983     36,185     -14.4
    -------             -----   -----   -----   ------     ------     -----
    A5                  1,107     865    28.0    7,344      5,056      45.3
    -------             -----     ---    ----    -----      -----      ----
    A6                    669     758   -11.7    5,463     10,021     -45.5
    -------               ---     ---   -----    -----     ------     -----
    A8                    208     415   -49.9    1,254      2,583     -51.5
    -------               ---     ---   -----    -----      -----     -----
    Audi Q5             1,238       0     0.0   10,564          0       0.0
    -------             -----     ---     ---   ------        ---       ---
    Audi Q7               671     984   -31.8    6,123     11,091     -44.8
    -------               ---     ---   -----    -----     ------     -----
    R8                     45     114   -60.5      591        635      -6.9
    -------                --     ---   -----      ---        ---      ----
    TT                    150     268   -44.0    1,643      3,700     -55.6
    -------               ---     ---   -----    -----      -----     -----
    Total Audi Sales    7,358   7,443    -1.1   66,876     73,260      -8.7
    ----------------    -----   -----    ----   ------     ------      ----

    NOTES:
    - A4 includes Audi A4 sedan, Avant, and RS models.
    - A5 includes Audi A5 coupe' and S5 coupe' models.
    - A6 includes Audi A6 sedan, S6 sedan and A6 Avant models.
    - A8 includes Audi A8 sedan, A8L sedan, and S8 sedan models.
    - TT includes Audi TT coupe' and TT roadster models.