Audi reports record January sales to open 2010

HERNDON, Va., Feb 2, 2010 - Audi today reported January U.S. sales of 6,510 luxury performance cars and SUVs, which accounted for a 37.9% overall increase from January 2009. The results followed strong year-end sales that gave Audi the largest 2009 market share gain in the imported luxury vehicle sector.

Sales of the Audi A3 jumped 106.2% largely due to the availability of the A3 TDI clean diesel model, which won the 2010 Green Car of the Year award at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

In fact, the fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions benefits of TDI technology continued to provide a winning story for Audi in January 2010. For the month, the A3 TDI made up 50% of all A3 sales, while demand for the larger Q7 TDI model constituted 48% of all Q7 sales. That level of demand far exceeds original expectations for TDI sales when Audi introduced the two models last year.

ales of the Audi A4 sedan, the best-selling model in the Audi lineup, rose 60.3% in January 2010 compared to a year earlier. Sales of all A4 variants rose a solid 34.3% from a year earlier when the A4 Cabriolet was still available.

“Having ended 2009 on such a high note, it was important to ensure that our success was substantive and enduring,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “January sales figures reinforce the notion that our momentum is the byproduct of relentless innovation years in the making.”

HERNDON, Va., Feb 2, 2010 - Audi today reported January U.S. sales of 6,510 luxury performance cars and SUVs, which accounted for a 37.9% overall increase from January 2009. The results followed strong year-end sales that gave Audi the largest 2009 market share gain in the imported luxury vehicle sector.

Sales of the Audi A3 jumped 106.2% largely due to the availability of the A3 TDI clean diesel model, which won the 2010 Green Car of the Year award at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

In fact, the fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions benefits of TDI technology continued to provide a winning story for Audi in January 2010. For the month, the A3 TDI made up 50% of all A3 sales, while demand for the larger Q7 TDI model constituted 48% of all Q7 sales. That level of demand far exceeds original expectations for TDI sales when Audi introduced the two models last year.

Sales of the Audi A4 sedan, the best-selling model in the Audi lineup, rose 60.3% in January 2010 compared to a year earlier. Sales of all A4 variants rose a solid 34.3% from a year earlier when the A4 Cabriolet was still available.

“Having ended 2009 on such a high note, it was important to ensure that our success was substantive and enduring,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “January sales figures reinforce the notion that our momentum is the byproduct of relentless innovation years in the making.”

Source: Audi

Volkswagen of South Africa leads tough passenger car market in 2009

“Volkswagen of South Africa lead the passenger market in 2009 with total sales of 49 902 units, thereby securing 19.3% of the total passenger market,” said Mike Glendinning, VW of SA Director of Sales and Marketing.

“Volkswagen of South Africa lead the passenger market in 2009 with total sales of 49 902 units, thereby securing 19.3% of the total passenger market,” said Mike Glendinning, VW of SA Director of Sales and Marketing.

“The Polo range proved to be South Africa’s favourite passenger Brand with sales of 18 288 units in 2009”.

“The Audi Brand recorded sales of 9 234 units in the premium segment, securing a very satisfactory 3.6% share of the total 2009 passenger market. Audi sales in December exceeded 1 000 units for the first time in 2009 which was a very positive end to 2009 for the Brand”.

During December 2009 a total of 19 161 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa.

Total new passenger car sales in December, including sales not reported in detail to NAAMSA, decreased by -16.4 percent when compared to November 2009, and by -8.8 percent when compared to December 2008.

The full year 2009 new passenger car market recorded sales of -21.6 percent below the market achieved in 2008.

Source: Volkswagen

Further signs of gradual recovery in the South African vehicle market

2nd December 2009

During November 2009 a total of 22 929 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa. Total new passenger car sales in November decreased by -6.7 percent when compared to October 2009, but were 4.6 percent up on November 2008.

This is the first time since January 2007 that the monthly total new car market has been larger that the corresponding month of the previous year. The January to November 2009 new passenger car market recorded sales of -22.5 percent below the same period for 2008.

“New passenger car sales in November continued the more positive trend of the past number of months. However, the car rental industry purchases in November were largely responsible for this growth. Sales recorded in the consumer retail segment remain muted. The new passenger car sales cycle does, however, appear to have bottomed out and is currently beginning to reflect some slow growth,” said Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing at VW of SA.

“From a VW of SA perspective, the new 6th generation Golf, with sales consistently over 500 units per month, vindicates its SA Car of the Year finalist status,” continued Glendinning.

“The Audi Brand sold 812 units into the premium segment last month, thereby recording its second most successful month in 2009,” said Glendinning.

“The export of the all New Polo to Right Hand Drive markets around the world is now gaining momentum, with 6 927 units exported in November. We look forward to bringing New Polo to the South African market early in 2010,” said Glendinning.

Returning to the state of the market in South Africa, Glendinning remains cautiously optimistic.

Source: Volkswagen