IRELAND - AUDI remains #1 premium brand for 5th year.

Audi is Ireland's most popular premium brand for the fifth consecutive year

Audi Ireland today announced total sales figures for 2013 of 3,687 units ensuring a record Irish market share of 5%. An increase in both sales volume and market share year-on-year cement Audi as Ireland’s number one premium car brand for the fifth year running.

Despite the total car market being down 7% in 2013, Audi’s unrivalled product development and continued investment in its dealer network has ensured sustained growth of 1%.

Christian Gussen, Managing Director of Audi Ireland commented; “2013 was another successful year at Audi Ireland and we are delighted that Audi remains the number one premium car brand of choice for Irish motorists for the fifth year in a row and we sold over one third of all premium cars in Ireland last year.

“Our continued success can be attributed to the strength of our product portfolio. For example look at the strong performance of the sleeker, sportier and more fuel efficient Audi A3, the new saloon and sportback models playing a significant role in our success this year with an increase in sales of over 60% for this model. Great product is supported by unrivalled customer service and flexible finance solutions.

“2014 will be another challenging year for the Irish motor industry but our early signs are positive and we look forward to starting the new 141 registration period with increased momentum behind us.”

USA - AUDI reveals sales for December and Year end, all good here !

• With December 2013 coming in as 36th consecutive record sales month, Audi concluded its fourth record year in a row
• December 2013 sales of 17,013 stand as the first time Audi sold more than 15,000 vehicles in any month
• Audi Q5 finishes as the best selling model for Audi in the US in 2013; strong demand seen throughout product lineup in 2013

Audi achieved its fourth-consecutive year of record U.S. demand by recording full-year sales of 158,061, a 13.5% increase over the previous annual record set a year earlier.

In addition, Audi set an all-time monthly sales record in December 2013 with sales of 17,013 new models, a 14.6% improvement over the previous monthly sales record set in December 2012. The most recent month also stands as the first time Audi monthly sales have ever topped 15,000 vehicles. December 2013 was also established the 36th consecutive monthly sales record for Audi in the U.S. market.

“After 36 consecutive record sales months, 2013 was another year to thank America for embracing Audi,” said Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. “These record results show the payoff from our longstanding strategy to build the Audi brand through exciting products, committed dealer partners and a sustainable business model.”

December results were bolstered by sales of Audi luxury SUVs, with a record month for the Audi Q5 crossover posting a 32.2% gain in December with 4,794 units delivered for the month. Sales of the Audi Q7 increased 52.6% to 2,279 vehicles sold for the month. Year-to-date sales for the Audi Q5 increased 40.8% to a total of 40,355 vehicles sold for the year, while YTD sales for the Audi Q7 increased 45.1% to a total of 15,978 vehicles.

Through December, sales of the Audi A6, A7, A8 and Q7 made up one of every three models the brand sold. That compares to a 19% mix for the most exclusive models just four years ago.

Luxury sedan sales remain strong as the Audi A6 increased 43.3% to 2,686 vehicles sold for the month, while YTD sales increased 18.1% to 22,428 vehicles sold.

There has been high demand for the updated 2014 Audi R8 models, including the Audi R8 V8, Audi R8 V10 and Audi R8 V10 plus. Customers have responded well to the changes in the vehicle’s transmission showing an increase of sales to 37.3% MTD.

December 2013 was also the top sales result for Audi Certified pre-owned vehicles sales with an increase of 21.1% for the month, to a total of 4,022 vehicles. For the full year, Audi CPO sales increased 10.2% to a total of 40,190 vehicles, also an all-time record for Audi of America.

Highlights:

• • Sales of Audi premium category vehicles (Audi A6, Audi A7, Audi A8, and Audi Q7) increased 19.2% YTD, representing 33.7% of total Audi sales year-to-date and 46% of the Audi year-to-date sales gain.
• • Sales mix for Audi S performance variants finished the month at 16.1% for the S4 sedan; 39.7% for the S5/ RS 5; 4.6% for the S6; 26.1% for the S7 and RS 7; 10.2% for the S8; 27% for the TTS / TT RS and TTS Roadster, and 8.6% for the SQ5 crossover. 
• • Sales of Audi A6 increased 43.3% compared to December 2012; YTD sales grew 18.1% compared to previous period.
• • Sales of the Audi Q5 increased 32.2% compared to December 2012; YTD sales grew 40.8% compared to previous period. 
• • Sales of the Audi Q7 increased 52.6% compared to December 2012; YTD sales grew 45.1% compared to previous period.
• • Audi R8 sales up 37.3% compared to December 2012.
• • Sales mix for Audi A6 TDI finished the month at 12.5%, for the Audi A7 TDI at 11%, for the A8 TDI to 12.8%, the Audi Q5 TDI at 16%, and for the Audi Q7 TDI at 28.7%.
• • Audi Certified pre-owned sales increased 21.1% to 4,022 vehicles in December; YTD increased 10.2% to 40,190 vehicles sold. 
• • The Audi A3 is being phased out in advance of the all-new A3 sedan arriving in the U.S. market next spring.

USA - VW/AUDI sells 100,000 clean diesel in the USA in 2013.

Volkswagen Group of America reported today that it has sold 100,000 TDI® Clean Diesel vehicles from the Volkswagen and Audi brands this year. This is the first time it has reached this milestone in a calendar year. Volkswagen and Audi currently offer 12 different TDI Clean Diesel powered models in the United States.

Audi and Volkswagen pioneered TDI® Clean Diesel engines and, as a result, the Volkswagen Group of America is the current market leader in Clean Diesel. Today’s Clean Diesel engines deliver more torque, better highway fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions compared with equivalent gasoline engines. As a result, Audi and Volkswagen deliver remarkable performance and impressive fuel economy.

“Selling more than100,000 TDI Clean Diesel vehicles is a significant milestone for Volkswagen Group of America,” said Mark McNabb, chief operating officer, Volkswagen of America. “We’re excited to see the increasing numbers of customers able to enjoy the reliability, durability, fuel-efficiency and power of the clean diesel engine.”

“The past year has shown that American consumers clearly recognize the benefits of clean diesel TDI vehicles,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America.  “They understand now more than ever that this is a technology delivering real answers to society’s concerns about fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions without compromises.”  

More than 75 percent of the diesel engines sold in the passenger car and SUV segments in the United States can be found under the hoods of Volkswagen and Audi models. Ever since 1977, when Volkswagen first offered a diesel in the Rabbit, the company has sold more than one million cars and SUVs powered by these engines in this market. High-mileage, TDI® Clean Diesel Volkswagen models accounted for 21 percent of sales in November and 24 percent of sales year-to-date, the best year-to-date results on record.

In 2013, Audi showed it intends to remain at the forefront of clean diesel expansion in the U.S. by dramatically enhancing its lineup with the new Audi Q5 TDI, A6 TDI, A7 TDI and A8 TDI models. Those premium models joined the Audi Q7 SUV in the market, and next summer Audi will introduce its most fuel-efficient model, the all-new A3 TDI sedan.

The TDI models in the Audi and Volkswagen lineup deliver up to 30% better fuel economy and 12%-30% lower carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline engines and there is no need for driver behavior change except to move from one pump to the other and no need for big infrastructure changes.

Volkswagen offers Clean Diesel technology in seven different models, six of which get an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 40 mpg or more on the highway. The models include the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat and Touareg.

USA - AUDI has a great October and year to date

• Audi Q5, Q7 sales increased 39.4% and 38.6% in October
• Audi A6 sales jump 13.5%
• Premium segment vehicles up 17% to constitute 32.7% of year-to-date sales

Audi reports October 2013 sales of 13,001 vehicles, an 11.0% increase over the previous October record set last year. October also stands as the brand’s 34th consecutive month of record sales. Audi sales year-to-date increased 13.4% to 127,412 vehicles sold.

“With another monthly sales record, the sustainable Audi business model is on track to produce steady and profitable growth,” said Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. “We are confident that 2013 will stand as our fourth-straight record year.”

October sales results were bolstered by sales of Audi luxury SUVs, with the Audi Q5 luxury crossover posting a 39.4% gain in October with 3,380 units delivered for the month. Sales of the Audi Q7 increased 38.6% to 1,403 vehicles sold for the month. Year-to-date sales for the Audi Q5 increased 43.3% while sales for the Audi Q7 increased 45.7%.

Sedan sales remain strong with the Audi A6 leading with an increase of 13.5%. Coupe sales soared for this month with Audi TT numbers increased by 62.0% and A5 sales increased to 13.7%.

Audi R8 sales continue to increase as customers responded to the updated 2014 models, including the Audi R8 V8, Audi R8 V10 and Audi R8 V10 plus.

Sales of Audi premium category vehicles (Audi A6, Audi A7, Audi A8, and Audi Q7) increased 17%YTD, representing a steady 32.7% of total Audi sales year-to-date and 41% of the Audi year-to-date sales gain.

Audi Certified pre-owned vehicles sales increased 30.9% in the month of October, with a year-to-date increase of 7.4%.

Highlights:

• Sales mix for Audi S performance variants finished the month at 15.8% for the S4 sedan; 29.9% for the S5/ RS 5; 7.9% for the S6; 21.6% for the S7 / RS 7; 15.1% for the S8.
• Sales of Audi A5 increased 13.7% and A6 increased to 13.5% compared to October 2012; YTD A5 sales grew 11.6%, A6 sales grew to 13.5% compared to previous period.
• Sales of Audi TT increased 62.0% compared to October 2012.
• Sales of the Audi Q5 increased 39.4% compared to October 2012; YTD sales grew 43.3% compared to previous period. 
• Sales of the Audi Q7 increased 38.6% compared to October 2012; YTD sales grew 45.7% compared to previous period.
• Audi sold 437 allroad models in October 2013, bringing YTD sales to 4,558 of the sport wagon, a 103.2% increase compared to previous period.
• Audi R8 sales up 38.3% compared to October 2012.
• Sales mix for Audi A6 TDI finished the month at 13.1%; sales mix for the Audi Q5 TDI finished the month at 14.2%, and sales mix for the Audi Q7 TDI finished the month at 27.2%.
• The Audi A3 is being phased out in advance of the all-new A3 sedan arriving in the U.S. market next spring.
• Audi Certified pre-owned sales increased 30.9% to 3,486 vehicles in October; YTD increased 7.4% to 32,556 vehicles sold. 
  

AUDI adds new quattro models to A3 and A6 ranges.

New all-wheel-drive versions of latest A3 Saloon, A6 Saloon and A6 Avant models are ready to weather the storm in winter 2013

• quattro all-wheel-drive now available in conjunction with 1.8-litre 180PS TFSI engine in all-new A3 Saloon and with lead-in 204PS V6 TDI engine in A6 range
• A3 quattro Saloon prices from £27,560 OTR, A6 3.0 TDI quattro 204PS prices from £38,385 OTR

As our uncharacteristically balmy summer gives way to autumn, the number of wet-weather ‘quattro days’ in 2013 could still exceed last year’s total of 172. In timely fashion, the number of Audi models equipped with this world renowned aid to driving in all weathers is on the rise. New quattro-equipped versions of the A3 Saloon, the A6 Saloon and the A6 Avant have just joined the largest all-wheel-drive range in the premium sector, which amounts to well over 150 models. All new additions are available to order now.

In the all-new A3 Saloon range the advanced directly and indirectly injected 1.8-litre TFSI engine is now available in conjunction with quattro drive, and in the A6 line-up customers opting for the smooth and refined power of the lead-in V6 TDI engine can now also channel its 204PS to all four wheels.

Linked exclusively to the six-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission with its ultra-fast shift pattern, and splitting its 180PS four ways, the new A3 1.8 TFSI quattro Saloon can reach 62mph from rest in 6.8 seconds, tops out at 146mph and yet also combines the potential for up to 42.8mpg with low CO2 of 152g/km.

Further up the range, the new 204 PS A6 3.0 TDI quattro sprints to 62mph in just seven seconds  (7.2 seconds in the Avant), a fraction more rapidly than its front-wheel-driven counterpart. It also benefits from a torque boost over its eight-speed multitronic transmission-equipped, front-wheel-drive equivalent, from 400Nm to 450Nm. Top speeds are 149mph for both Saloon options, and 143mph for both Avants.

Three V6 TDI options

The new 204 PS V6 TDI quattro is one of three powerful V6 TDI engines in the A6 range to feature the crown gear centre differential-based version of the quattro all-wheel-drive system. The more powerful 3.0 V6 TDI engine with 245 PS and the top of the range 313 PS V6 BiTDI are linked to this system exclusively.

 
The A3 1.8 TFSI quattro Saloon is the first in the four-door range to adopt multi-plate clutch-based quattro technology. It will be joined later this year by the 300PS S3 quattro Saloon with six-speed manual and six-speed S tronic transmission options, and in mid-2014 by the A3 2.0 TDI quattro with 184PS and standard six-speed S tronic transmission.

The A3 1.8 TFSI quattro Saloon is available with Sport or S line specification priced at £27,560 OTR and £29,710 respectively. Prices for the new 204PS A6 3.0 TDI quattro models start from £38,385 for the A6 Saloon 3.0 TDI quattro SE, increasing to £44,945 for the lavishly equipped, S line-based A6 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro Black Edition.

The case for quattro - British rainfall data

Up to the end of September the Met Office has so far recorded 97 ‘rainfall days’, i.e. days when over 1.0mm of rain fell. In 2012 as a whole, 172 rainfall days were recorded. Globally last year, more than 43 per cent of Audi customers opted for the added reassurance of quattro, and the Neckarsulm plant in Germany – home of Audi high performance division quattro GmbH – equipped one car in every two on the production line with the technology.