Audi increases growth in China by 17 percent in 2008

AUDI A6L Assembly line at Changchun Plant

• Around 120,000 vehicles sold in China
  
• Audi remains market leader in the premium segment
  
• Expansion of production capacities in Changchun

CHANGCHUN : January 19, 2008 - Audi set a new sales record on the Chinese market in 2008, selling 119,598 vehicles in China and Hong Kong. This is an increase of 17 percent (2007: 101,996) and confirms Audi as the market leader in the premium segment. Construction has begun on a new assembly plant in Changchun to expand production capacity.


Sales of cars produced in Changchun increased 14 percent to 105,958 units, including 85,367 Audi A6L (plus 16 percent) and 20,591 Audi A4 models (plus 4 percent). Sales of imported vehicles were up 55 percent. The Audi TT (1,764 units) and the Audi Q7 (5,806 units) exhibited above-average growth of 68 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Sales of the Audi A8 increased 35 percent to 4,608 units, making China the world’s largest sales market for the Audi A8.

“We are extremely satisfied with the results in our largest foreign market,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “Even if the Chinese market does not grow as dynamically as in recent years, we will continue to pursue our growth strategy.”

Audi expects additional impetus for growth from the long-wheelbase version of the Audi A4, which was launched on the Chinese market at the start of 2009. Manufactured exclusively for the Chinese market, the Audi A4L is the first long-wheelbase version in the upper mid-sized segment.

Audi has been present in China since 1988 and for years has posted double-digit growth rates. To meet the growing demand, the cornerstone for an additional assembly plant was laid in Changchun in June 2008.

[Source : AUDI]