Audi gains more U.S. market share amid economic downturn
08-02-09, 03:49 AM
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Audi gains more U.S. market share amid economic downturn
NEW YORK, July 31 (Xinhua) -- German luxury automaker Audi AG said on Friday that it has gained a more-than-expected market share in the United States in the first half of 2009 amid the economic downturn.
Audi of America, the American unit of the German carmaker, reported that it has an 8.3-percent market share in the United States through the first six months of this year, compared with 6.5 percent in the same period of 2008. It had earlier predicted its U.S. market share to be 7.7 percent in the first half.
The popular Audi Q5 crossover vehicle and the new Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel model with strong consumer demand contributed to the increase of market share for the first half of 2009, according to the company.
"We exceeded our target and each month of 2009 has demonstrated the strength of the Audi brand in the face of difficult economic headwinds," Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi of America, told reporters in New York.
In addition, Audi A4 Cabriolet also performed quite positively in the U.S. market, achieving its best monthly sale since June 2008 of 737 units in June this year. Overall sales of the Audi A4 model portfolio reached 18,101 through the first six months of the year.
In face of the crisis, said Johan, the company would set its eye on a long-term strength in the U.S. market with right product being used on the right place.
"The better performance of Audi is happening without extraordinary pricing strategies, which is a testament to the long-run momentum Audi has developed," said Nysschen.
On all its new models, the Audi brand is devoting special attention to high efficiency and environmental compatibility. It is promoting diesel vehicles to American consumers as a better way to cut oil use than hybrid and electric cars. A diesel Q7 sport-utility vehicle went on sale six weeks ago, and a diesel A3 wagon is due at the end of this year.
"We will promote the diesel products in the U.S. step by step," said the president.
Audi Group recorded a significant operating profit of 823 million euros (about 1.163 billion U.S. dollars) for the first six months, down 36.6 percent compared with the same period of the previous year, which was 1.3 billion euros (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars).
However, "we're very satisfied with the result for the first half-year, but are keeping our feet on the ground because we expect to face some difficulties in the second half of the year," said Axel Strotbek, board member for finance and organization at Audi AG.
Audi of America, the American unit of the German carmaker, reported that it has an 8.3-percent market share in the United States through the first six months of this year, compared with 6.5 percent in the same period of 2008. It had earlier predicted its U.S. market share to be 7.7 percent in the first half.
The popular Audi Q5 crossover vehicle and the new Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel model with strong consumer demand contributed to the increase of market share for the first half of 2009, according to the company.
"We exceeded our target and each month of 2009 has demonstrated the strength of the Audi brand in the face of difficult economic headwinds," Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi of America, told reporters in New York.
In addition, Audi A4 Cabriolet also performed quite positively in the U.S. market, achieving its best monthly sale since June 2008 of 737 units in June this year. Overall sales of the Audi A4 model portfolio reached 18,101 through the first six months of the year.
In face of the crisis, said Johan, the company would set its eye on a long-term strength in the U.S. market with right product being used on the right place.
"The better performance of Audi is happening without extraordinary pricing strategies, which is a testament to the long-run momentum Audi has developed," said Nysschen.
On all its new models, the Audi brand is devoting special attention to high efficiency and environmental compatibility. It is promoting diesel vehicles to American consumers as a better way to cut oil use than hybrid and electric cars. A diesel Q7 sport-utility vehicle went on sale six weeks ago, and a diesel A3 wagon is due at the end of this year.
"We will promote the diesel products in the U.S. step by step," said the president.
Audi Group recorded a significant operating profit of 823 million euros (about 1.163 billion U.S. dollars) for the first six months, down 36.6 percent compared with the same period of the previous year, which was 1.3 billion euros (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars).
However, "we're very satisfied with the result for the first half-year, but are keeping our feet on the ground because we expect to face some difficulties in the second half of the year," said Axel Strotbek, board member for finance and organization at Audi AG.
08-02-09, 07:45 AM
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Deep discounts on invoice and low, low financing are offered right now. My father was just offered several thousand dollars off of the new Q7 diesel with 1.9% for up to 72 months...and as low as 0.9% for 48 or less. MB, BMW, and Lexus are nowhere near that up here....especially on their brand new models, so that would certainly help Audi's sales in this recession.
08-02-09, 09:03 AM
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I've said Audi is coming......Lincoln, Caddy, Acura, Infiniti should be very worried as CDNRockies is right, they offer Tier 1 products but their image/sales were lacking. If they continue to improve on those two, well Audi can possible join the big boys here.
08-02-09, 09:11 AM
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Before we decided on our IS250 AWD we tried the Audi A4 AWD and the BMW 328 and 335 X drive AWD.
The Audi just didn't do anything for us. The BMW was to dang expensive when we equipped it the way we wanted. The winner by a LONG run was the Lexus!
The Audi just didn't do anything for us. The BMW was to dang expensive when we equipped it the way we wanted. The winner by a LONG run was the Lexus!
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08-02-09, 10:32 AM
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Audi does heavily discount the more common models like the A4 ,A6 and the Q7's. A couple at the Audi dealership told me they got a ridiculous deal on a 2009 Q7 Diesel. When Audi needs to move product they will discount just as much as other brands.
08-02-09, 01:45 PM
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audi is the new bmw.
Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you.
Hyundai and Kia and others are doing better than Audi though.
http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/07/...ains-most.html
Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you.
Hyundai and Kia and others are doing better than Audi though.
http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/07/...ains-most.html
08-02-09, 01:58 PM
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08-02-09, 07:34 PM
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08-02-09, 07:55 PM
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audi is the new bmw.
Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you.
Hyundai and Kia and others are doing better than Audi though.
http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/07/...ains-most.html
Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you.
Hyundai and Kia and others are doing better than Audi though.
http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/07/...ains-most.html
Hyundai and Kia are definitely relevant to a discussion on the growth of a Tier 1 brand.
08-04-09, 04:07 PM
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Audi use to be the best kept secert in the US market, now the word is starting to get out, but there are still people with their head in the sand that still thinks Audi is below average in reliablity or high maintenace cost. Dollar for dollor, Audi is the best value of the big 3 German car makers.