AUDI AG achieved its best quarterly figures ever in China (including Hong Kong) in the first three months of the year and delivered a total of 51,449 vehicles – a rise of 77 percent compared with the first quarter of 2009. Audi is thus clearly asserting the leading position of the brand with the four rings in the Chinese premium market.
The locally built cars achieved a growth of 70 percent overall. The Audi A4L, the first long-wheelbase version of a midsize sedan in China, achieved a new record tally of 13,787 units delivered to customers, representing an increase of 213 percent. The A6, which is also built at Changchun in a long-wheelbase version, gained 35 percent to reach a total of 28,984 units delivered. The Audi Q5, which has been built locally since the end of last year, staged a successful market debut with 1,171 cars sold.
Sales of imported Audi cars developed at an above-average rate, rising by 145 percent to 6,898 cars. The figures were particularly positive for the Audi Q7, selling 2,294 units (up 57 percent), and the A5 Coupé, of which deliveries rose by 87 percent to 339 cars.
“This result means we have further extended our market lead in China’s premium segment,” commented Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG. “Our product strategy for China has been confirmed as spot on for both locally built and imported vehicles.”
Audi has been present in the Chinese market since 1988, and produces the Audi A4L, the Audi A6L and the Audi Q5 in Changchun together with its joint venture partner FAW. Audi sold a total of 158,941 cars in China in 2009.
