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Audi expects to increase market share

4 February 2009 1,318 views 3 Comments

Audi A5

Audi A5 and R8 lead January sales

Even though the economy is sputtering, Audi’s January new car sales weren’t too bad. Overall though, their car sales were down from their record sales in January of last year. In January of this year, they sold 4,722 vehicles.

Audi’s two successful models? The A5 and R8. Consider this…their A5 and R8 models experienced a sales increase of more than 75%.

The Audi A5 posted a 76.3% increase over last January with 603 units sold in January 2009. The Audi R8 broke its January sales record with over 107 units sold, an increase of 75.4% over January’s sales a year ago.

Audi expects their overall market share in 2009 to increase.

“The softening economy creates challenges to our industry, but the Audi position in the market continues its upward trend. We are confident this momentum will leave Audi in a better position when the economy turns around,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “As demonstrated in our successful efforts surrounding the recent presidential inauguration and our Super Bowl presence, Audi intends to remain a top-of-mind choice for U.S. luxury car buyers.”

Audi must be doing something right. How is it that some car makers still sell cars, even in a down economy? Sure, Audi is a luxury brand. But even wealthy buyers are having second thoughts about making purchases right now.

Can it be that Audi “gets it”? Somehow, they’ve figured out what buyers want. And I say that with tongue-in-cheek. Of course they get it! They deliver cars that are beautiful. Arguably with a certain German bauhaus styling, but, nonetheless, cars you want to own. Not to mention cars you want to sit in. Let’s face it. You don’t drive a car from the outside. The interior matters, with quality materials and workmanship making the inside of a car a nice place to be. Not to mention, a place to be during an hour long commute.

Anyone else care to chime in? Has Audi cornered the market on classic design and quality workmanship? What other car maker do you feel trumps Audi’s styling?

  • Andrew

    I mostly agree with you but I think the American car makers are finally catching on. Build a better car and buyers will come. I think Ford has made the most headway in this regard.

  • http://dr1665.com Brian DR1665

    I pretty much learned to drive in an Audi. It was a faded, lemon yellow 1980 model 80. The real deal, German domestic model (lived in Germany at the time) with no air conditioning, and an interior wrapped in an olive green velour so fine, you hardly noticed how the body lurched about as you shifted the automatic transmission through the gears. I loved that car.

    More recently, I’ve been fortunate enough to spend some time in a newer A4 while carpooling with a good friend. He’s since moved on to an M3, but I was very impressed with the solid feel of the Audi chassis and even more so by the wonderful attention to detail in the cabin. This A4 was light years ahead of my old 80 in every way.

    Now, I find myself catching glimpses of LED DRLs in my mirrors and craning my neck to see exactly which new Audi is nearby. Is it the A5? The Avant Wagon? The brilliant R8? The new design, with its sinuous curves hinting a subtle, muscular athleticism just beneath the surface draws my eye from one end of the car to another and back again. I love them. They are simply gorgeous. And to think that interior has only gotten better? It’s no wonder they’re doing well.

  • http://www.insurance4lessdirect.com Nick

    All luxury cars are expensive when it comes to upkeep… but when it comes to repair I think the European brands require quite a bit more here in the States. But for American car (Cadillac) service is a lot cheaper than REPAIR which is what a euro car will likely require of you.

    Either way… if you do opt for the Audi, I highly recommend the quattro… it’s the single greatest safety feature you can get on any car.