Record sales and revenue for Audi in the first half of 2004

This represents an increase of 0.6 percent on the same period last year. This was supported by sustained growth in key Middle East markets as Audi continues to win market share in the region.

Worldwide, Revenue was up by 7.7 percent to the record level of EUR 12,328 (11,449) million. The operating result rose by 9.5 percent to EUR 586 (535) million. Profit before tax remained stable at the previous year's level at EUR 502 (505) million. Net profit rose by 16.3 percent to EUR 336 (289) million.

In the Middle East region, July 2004 recorded phenomenal growth in sales over the previous year. Leading the way was Kuwait with 85% increase on sales over July 2003 with Oman closely following at 80% For the same period, Audi also saw strong growth from key markets Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with respective increases of 56% (Dubai) 40% (KSA) and 25% (Bahrain) over figures for July 2003

"Despite very unstable markets and tough competition, we are sticking to our goal of a new sales record in the current year. With the new A6 which is to be launched in September, we are in an outstanding position going into the second half of the year. We are also aiming to achieve a strong overall result," explains Thierry Seys, Managing Director, Middle East & Egypt, Audi AG.

Worldwide, car sales by the subsidiary Lamborghini almost quadrupled to 922 (238) vehicles. A total of 401,632 (378,074) cars (up 6.2 percent) and 780,354 (693,217) engines (up 12.6 percent) were produced in the first six months.

Audi achieved historic sales records in eight of 20 markets in Western Europe. The biggest European export market of Great Britain with sales of 41,805 (38,299) vehicles (up 9.2 percent) and Spain with 23,742 (21,213) vehicles (up 11.9 percent) deserve a special mention. Sales in Western Europe (excluding Germany) were up by 5.8 percent to 170,991 (161,541) vehicles. 114,169 (121,033) vehicles were handed over to their new owners in Germany (down 5.7 percent). Audi boosted its sales quite considerably in the region of Eastern Europe, by 17 percent to 8,144 (6,977) vehicles. A total of 37,970 (41,089) Audi models were sold in the USA (down 7.6 percent). 6,251 (5,777) cars were sold in Japan (up 8.2 percent) and 29,028 (29,412) in China (down 1.3 percent).

Audi Group workforce expanded by 0.9 percent to 53,042 (52,589) employees (all figures as at 30 June). There were 44,787 (44,761) employees at AUDI AG, 5,175 (4,888) at AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., 772 (788) at COSWORTH TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, 730 (638) at the Lamborghini Group and 772 (711) at AUTOGERMA S.p.A.