AUDI AG : Growth in Asia-Pacific region, rising market share in Western Europe

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• Third consecutive record month in China
  
• Increased sales in important European and Asian markets
  
• Growing market share in United States and Western Europe
  
• Audi is Western Europe’s most successful premium brand

INGOLSTADT : June 8, 2009 - Audi reported increasing sales in May in the Asia-Pacific region as well as in important European markets. The brand with the four rings also registered its third consecutive record month in China. Thanks to growing market shares, Audi was able to expand its leading position as the most successful premium brand in Western Europe as well. The brand with the four rings further boosted its market share both in European countries outside of Germany and the United States in May.


“Demand for our A3, A4 and A5 core models is strong thanks to our range of efficient four- and six-cylinder engines”, says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG. “The new Audi Q5, already a success in both Europe and the United States, is driving sales as well.”

Worldwide, AUDI AG sold about 82,800 premium vehicles in the past month, down just 6.1 percent on the previous year’s record result (2008: 88,168 vehicles). In the first five months of 2009, Audi sold about 374,750 vehicles, 12.1 percent less than in the previous year (January to May 2008: 426,194).

In Western Europe, the brand further reduced the gap to last year’s record result with about 52,650 vehicles sold in May (-10.9 percent; 2008: 59,093 vehicles). From January to May, Audi sold about 243,250 vehicles here (-14.6 percent; 2008: 284,656 vehicles). Despite generally shrinking markets, Audi sold more vehicles in May than in the previous year in several European countries, including Italy (+7.1 percent; 5,145 vehicles), Belgium (+7.3 percent; 2,899 vehicles), Austria (+17 percent; 1,606 vehicles) and Switzerland (+7.6 percent; 1,578 vehicles). In Europe (excluding Germany), the premium brand’s market share rose to 3.9 percent in May (overall market share in 2008: 3.7 percent).

Audi gained important market share in the United States as well. The brand strengthened its position in the premium market by two percentage points to attain an 8.8 percent share (within the so called Import High Group). Audi posted the smallest decline in the premium segment in May, down 12.1 percent to 7,503 vehicles (2008: 8,534 vehicles). Audi of America delivered 30,321 vehicles to customers in the United States during the first five months of the year (-17.7 percent; 2008: 36,820 vehicles).

In the Asia-Pacific region, Audi achieved strong growth, selling about 15,650 vehicles there in the past month, up 24.1 percent over May 2008 (2008: 12,607 vehicles). In year-on-year comparison, sales were up 5.4 percent in the period from January to May (about 68,500 vehicles; 2008: 64,998 vehicles). In China (including Hong Kong) the brand with the four rings posted record figures once again in May. Sales rose for the third consecutive month, up 27.8 percent in year-on-year comparison with 12,435 vehicles sold. From January to May, Audi sales were up 6.8 percent with 53,601 vehicles sold (2008: 50,180 vehicles). Thus, Audi confirmed its position as longstanding leader in the premium segment. Good sales performance in other markets in the region such as Australia (+14.4 per-cent; 943 vehicles) and South Korea (+34.8 percent; 601 vehicles) drove sales results upward as well.

[Source : AUDI]