Audi vehicle sales in Middle East up by 59 per cent in 1st half

This is equivalent to an increase of 23.4 percent compared with the same month last year.

The number of vehicles sold worldwide in the first seven months rose by 10.2 percent compared with the same period one year previously, to around 494,800 vehicles (January to July 2004: 448,957).

In the Middle East region, Audi's cumulative sales in the first half of 2005 increased by 59% percent compared with last year (January to July 2005: 1,513). With the upcoming launch of the Q7, Audi's sporty SUV, and several other new models such as the RS4 and Le Mans, Audi seeks to further strengthen its market position and commitment to the region. Audi Middle East has its sights set on a sales increase to 10,000 vehicles in the medium term.

"The figures for July demonstrate very clearly how attractive our brand is in comparison with the competition," stated Ralph Weyler, Board Member for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG. "We will continue to follow this strategic path to growth in the years to come. Growth is taking place on all fronts: we have now achieved new sales records on 35 markets worldwide and will deliver more than 800,000 vehicles to customers worldwide for the first time this year."