Audi Middle East announces a year of strong growth

Worldwide, Audi set yet another record for vehicle sales in 2003, for the tenth year in succession.

In the Middle East, Abu Dhabi experienced the strongest growth with sales increasing by an impressive 20%. Qatar and Saudi Arabia also recorded exceptional growth figures of 15% and 10% increases respectively. Dubai increased sales by 7% over 2002.

Despite the instability faced by the region at the start of 2003, Audi experienced unparalleled demand following the introduction of the new A8 in 2003. The ultimate luxury vehicle, the new A8 takes the combination of sports experience and comfort to even higher levels. The Middle East responded enthusiastically with a sales increase of 48% in 2003 over the previous year.

Despite the fact that the overall economic situation remains difficult, Audi vehicle sales worldwide increased by 3.7 percent to 769,893 cars. Audi's export quota was around 69 percent (2002: 67 percent). The company set new records for vehicle sales in 20 markets including the USA, Great Britain, China, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Greece and Australia.

Audi's market share in Western Europe stayed at the previous year's level of 3.8 percent. A total of 547,666 Audi models were handed over to their new owners in this market (down 0.4 percent). 237,786 Audi models were sold in Germany (down 2.4 percent). The company consequently succeeded in maintaining its market share at the same high level of 2002, at 7.4 percent. 37,467 vehicles were sold in France (down 8.2 percent). Audi increased its sales volume in Great Britain by 6.9 percent to 70,107 units, in Italy by 2.5 percent to 51,341 units and in Spain by 0.2 percent to 41,124 units.

A total of 86,421 Audi models were handed over to customers in the USA, the Ingolstadt manufacturer's biggest export market. This is equivalent to an increase of 0.8 percent, making it the fourth record sales year in succession. Audi was particularly successful in China (including Hong Kong) where it sold a total of 63,531 cars (up 71.5 percent). Sales figures in Japan rose by 12.8 percent to 13,137 vehicles.

The super sports car brand Lamborghini also reported the best sales figure in the company's 40-year history: it sold a total of 1,305 cars (up 207.8 percent) in the Lamborghini Gallardo (890) and Murciélago (415) model series.