Audi Hosts Exclusive Event During Super Bowl XLIV

HERNDON, Va., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating a number of exciting milestones, Audi of America hosted an exclusive gathering on Friday, February 5, 2010 at the W Hotel in South Beach to kick off Super Bowl weekend. Celebrities and athletes including Jessica Alba, Taylor Lautner, Hilary Swank, Kate Walsh, Kellan Lutz, Lance Bass, Osi Umenyiora (New York Giants), Chad Henne (Miami Dolphins) gathered for the culmination of The Audi Efficiency Challenge. In addition, Audi celebrated its recent award by Green Car Journal naming the Audi A3 TDI the coveted "Green Car of the Year," and the brand's 2010 Super Bowl ad, its third consecutive spot in the game after a nearly 20-year hiatus, centered around the eco-friendly A3 TDI.

"We are elated to have a presence during the Super Bowl again this year, as it provides the perfect platform for Audi to show America that one does not have to sacrifice luxury for efficiency," said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. "As you can see from this year's Super Bowl initiatives – The Audi Efficiency Challenge, this event and of course, our ad – we have brought to life the idea that it is possible to be green and to still uphold the level of luxury that has come to be synonymous with the Audi namesake."

Celebrity guests arrived in Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel SUV's, the same vehicles driven during The Audi Efficiency Challenge. Also at the event, Chad Henne of the Miami Dolphins was congratulated for winning the Audi Efficiency Challenge for which Audi donated $20,000 to his favorite charity, the Berks County Community Foundation. Beginning in Herndon, Virginia - Audi of America's headquarters - and concluding in Miami, Florida, the competition pitted high-profile sports journalists and athletes against one another to see who could achieve the best fuel-efficiency in an Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel SUV. Participants included Bill Simmons from ESPN.com, Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports, New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne.

Created by San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners, the highly anticipated spot highlights the Audi A3 TDI, recently named by Green Car Journal as the 2010 "Green Car of the Year," beating out such esteemed competitors as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight to win the coveted award.  

***Images from the evening are available at WireImage.com***

About Audi of America

Audi of America, Inc. and its 270 U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally; during 2009 Audi outsold all other luxury brands in Europe. In the U.S. market Audi posted the largest market share gain of any luxury automotive brand. Between 2009 and 2012, Audi will spend about nearly $2 billion annually on new products and technology. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues. AUDI AG will present the complete results for the 2009 business year at its Annual Press Conference on March 9, 2010 in Ingolstadt.

SOURCE Audi of America, Inc.