Audi Reports Best-Ever August U.S. Sales, Marking the Eighth Straight Record-Setting Month of 2011

HERNDON, Va., Sept. 1, 2011  /PRNewswire/ -- Audi of America today reported record August U.S. sales of 10,201 vehicles, topping the previous record of 9,182 vehicles sold in August 2010. August 2011 marked the eighth consecutive month of record-setting sales for the brand in the U.S. market, as well as the fourth-best month ever in company history.

Audi sales in the U.S. year to date grew 15% to 75,256. The luxury car brand has recorded best-ever months in 12 out of the past 13 months.

The strong August 2011 results were buoyed by consumer response to the all-new 2012 Audi A6, as well as the stylish and technologically advanced 2012 Audi A7. Sales of the Audi A6 climbed 36.4% to 989 vehicles compared to August 2010 A6 sales. Demand for the Audi A7, introduced this spring, remained strong with 703 vehicles sold in the month. The all-new A6 and A7 feature Audi's industry-leading navigation and safety technology, including MMI® Navigation plus with Google Earth, Audi connect™ with wireless internet access and Night Vision Assistant with thermal imaging.

The Audi A6, A7, A8 and Q7 – the brand's entries in the top luxury vehicle segments – made up 28% of overall Audi sales in August.

Audi SUV models constituted a healthy 30% of overall Audi sales in August. Sales of the popular Audi Q7 full-size luxury sport-utility vehicle increased 28.6% YOY to 720 vehicles sold, when compared to August 2010.

The Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel model accounted for 45.5% of the sales mix in the lineup. Demand remained strong for the Audi A3, with 764 vehicles sold in August 2011. As consumers continued to show preferences for efficiency, the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel model accounted for 69% of the total A3 sales mix for the month.

The launch of the Audi TT RS sports car helped propel total Audi TT sales to an increase of 40% from a year earlier with 231 vehicles sold in August, while TT year-to-date sales increased 18.5% to 1,452 vehicles sold.

Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales of 3,169 vehicles mark the best August on record and the sixth-consecutive record month. Year to date sales of 25,517, an increase of 36.1% from 2010, put Audi on track to deliver the best CPO year on record.

For the record-setting month of August 2011, Audi recorded year-over-year sales increases exceeding 25% with five of its models: the Audi A3, the Audi A6, the Audi A8, the Audi Q7, and the Audi TT. In addition, the Audi Southern Region has experienced strong sales gains, with year-to-date sales jumping 16% to 15,635 vehicles sold.

"Closing in on a record-setting third quarter, sales continue to reinforce the notion that consumers are rewarding Audi for its industry-leading technology, differentiated styling and efficient performance," said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. "I'm optimistic that 2011 will be another banner year for Audi in the U.S. market."

Audi sales highlights – August 2011

• New company record set in August with 10,201 vehicles sold, topping the previous record of 9,182 vehicles sold in August 2010.
• Audi sales in the U.S. grew 15% to 75,256 luxury vehicles sold from January 2011 through August 2011
• Five models within Audi lineup post YOY gains exceeding 25%.

Audi A6, A7 and A8 August sales and news notes

• Strong initial sales for the all-new 2012 A6 with 989 vehicles sold.
• 2012 Audi A7 sustains momentum with 703 vehicles sold.
• Audi A8 sales increase 392.6% YOY to 468 vehicles sold; YTD A8 sales up 563.4% to 3,768 vehicles sold.

Audi A3 and Audi Q7 August sales and news notes

• Audi A3 posted strong sales gain with an increase of 35.5% YOY to 764 vehicles sold in August.
• Audi Q7 sales in August up 28.6% YOY and up 38.3% YTD, compared to 2010.
• TDI clean diesel technology represented 69% of total A3 sales for August and 45.5% of total Q7 sales for August.

Audi TT August sales and news notes

• Audi TT sales increased 40% from the same period last year to 231 vehicles sold in August 2011; YTD sales experience 18.5% increase with 1,452 vehicles sold in 2011 through August.

Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales and news notes

• Best August CPO sales for Audi of all-time, set sixth consecutive monthly record with 3,169 vehicles sold.
• Audi CPO sales up 27.8% versus 2010.
• YTD sales up 36.1% with 25,517 vehicles sold.

ABOUT AUDI

Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2010 Audi was the top performing luxury brand in Europe, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Over the next few years, AUDI AG will invest nearly $16 billion on new products and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

NOTES:

- 2010 A4 numbers include Audi A4 sedan, Avant, and S4 models. 2009 A4 numbers include A4 cabriolet, which has been discontinued.

- 2010 A5 numbers include Audi A5 cabriolet and coupe' and S5 cabriolet and coupe' models. 2009 A5 numbers do not include the cabriolet models.

- A6 includes Audi A6 sedan, S6 sedan and A6 Avant models.

- All-new A7 model sales began in April 2011.

- 2010 A8 includes Audi A8 sedan, A8L sedan, and S8 sedan models. 2011 A8 includes Audi A8 sedan and A8L sedan.

- TT includes Audi TT coupe' and TT roadster models.

SOURCE Audi of America