Audi targets No. 1 spot by 2015

Audi has reported 98 percent sales growth in the Indian market in July 2012, selling 680 cars in the month (July 2011 sales: 343 cars). The brand grew 49 percent during January-July 2012, selling 4,680 vehicles as compared to 3,145 vehicles sold during the same period last year.

On August 3, Audi Indiaunveiledits new A8 L luxury saloon equipped with a powerful 4.2 TDI engine. The limousine sets new standards for luxury, with exceptional dynamics and efficiency. The car is priced at Rs 1.1 crore (ex-showroom Maharashtra).

“Each month of this year has seen Audi India grow from strength to strength. A total of 4,680 cars have been sold so far this year and the 49 percent growth clocked is remarkable, thus making India among the top three growth markets YTD of Audi AG worldwide. Despite speculation about economic upheavals, we are charging ahead on a well mapped-out route towards leadership. We have a sales target of 8,000 cars this year. I am confident that our robust customer proposition will help us surpass targets yet again this year,” said Michael Perschke, head, Audi India.

Leading the growth in India is the A6 saloon along with the new A4 and the Q3 SUV. The strengthened ‘A’ range of limousines with the A8 L, A6 and A7 Sportback have also caught buyer interest.

Gunning for No. 1 spot

“We are aiming for the No.1 position by 2015. Our product offering, brand positioning and aftersales services are finding resonance with discerning luxury customers in India. It is their aspiration for real luxury mobility that is fueling our growth,” added Perschke.

Audi India plans to xpand its network to 25 dealerships by the end of 2012 from its existing 20 centres. The company has also recently opened new showrooms in Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore, Delhi West, Nagpur and its second in Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal. Last year, it had opened new showrooms in Delhi South, Chennai, Ludhiana, Surat and Indore. Further developments include Lucknow and Goa among others.

Globally too, the Audi Group is on a high, despite weaker economic growth and the contraction of many car markets. With deliveries of 119,600 cars in July 2012 worldwide, Audi has recorded an increase of 12.9 percent. Its strongest-ever July performance was boosted by a healthy 28 percent increase in unit sales in the US. In Germany, demand for models from the Ingolstadt carmaker were up by 10.7 percent. Overall, Audi sold 852,900 cars in the first seven months of the year, 12.4 percent more than in the same period of 2011.