AUDI AG has had its best half-year ever in China (including Hong Kong), with 66,866 cars delivered between January and June – up 11 percent compared with the first half of 2008. The market leader in the Chinese premium segment set a new sales record in June with 13,265 cars sold, an increase of 28 percent.
The Audi A4L has experienced a major jump in sales: Audi delivered 3,247 units of the long-wheelbase version of the midsize sedan to customers in June, which is nearly twice as many Audi A4 cars than were sold in this time span during the previous year (when it was not yet available in the long version). A total of 13,654 units of the A4L, which was launched in January, were sold in the first half-year – up 26 percent in total. The A4L is produced exclusively for the Chinese market, where it is the first long-wheelbase version in the luxury midsize class.
“This sales record shows us that we’ve made the right choices for the Chinese market, and that our model strategy is matched to the tastes of the Chinese customer,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG.
Sales figures for the Audi A6L also developed favorably, growing in the first half-year to 46,356 units (up 8 percent). The A6L was thus able to further consolidate its strong position as market leader in the C segment.
Among imported models, sales of the Audi Q7 increased 12 percent in the first half-year to 2,981 units, while the Audi A5 Coupé – introduced last year – has had a very successful launch in the market, with 452 cars sold, tripling its sales volume from the previous year.
Audi has had a presence in the Chinese market since 1988, and produces the Audi A4L and Audi A6L in Changchun, along with its joint venture partner, FAW. Audi’s Chinese dealership network currently includes 137 dealers in 95 cities, and is continuously being expanded: by the end of the year, 16 Audi terminals will open in the Middle Kingdom.
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