In the best first quarter of Audi’s history in China, 124,520 customers decided to buy a car with the four rings – an increase of 21.1 percent compared with the prior-year period. With the A3 Sportback, another locally produced model in the premium compact segment was launched in the Chinese market this March. Production of the A3 Sedan will start in the summer. Together with the Audi Q3*, which has been produced in China since November 2012, Audi offers the broadest range of cars in this segment from local production.
“We are the first premium manufacturer to locally produce and sell three models in the premium compact segment in China” stated Luca de Meo, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Sales and Marketing. “We have thus once again demonstrated Audi’s pioneering role in our second home market.”
47,636 Chinese customers decided in favor of an Audi in March (plus 36.6 percent). The locally produced Audi Q3 was the car of choice for 5,511 customers. The China-specific long-wheelbase versions of the Audi A6* and A4* were very successful with sales of 14,002 units (plus 15.4 percent) and 10,004 units (plus 16.9 percent). And the locally produced Audi Q5* reached an excellent figure of 8,831 deliveries (plus 14.3 percent). Audi also sold 9,288 imported models in March, an increase of 44.1 percent.
The models produced in Changchun, the Audi A4 L, A6 L, Q5 and Q3, reached the new record of 103,113 cars delivered in the first quarter, representing an increase of 21.0 percent compared with the prior-year period. With sales of 25,364 units, the Audi Q5 was the bestselling premium SUV in China (plus 8.6 percent). Unit sales of imported Audi automobiles rose by 21.7 percent to 21,407 vehicles.
Audi put its second plant in China into operation in Foshan in late 2013. The Audi A3 Sportback is now being produced there, to be followed by the A3 Sedan in the middle of this year. Audi is the only premium manufacturer to produce two SUVs locally, the Audi Q3 and the Q5. The company is thus extending its market leadership in two important growth areas, the SUV market and the compact-car class. Audi produces a total of five model series in China, more than any other premium manufacturer.
The dealer network was also significantly expanded throughout the country last year. A new dealership opened in China every week, so the number of sales outlets increased to more than 340 in over 150 cities. Audi will expand its exclusive sales and service network to more than 500 dealerships by 2017.
In this year’s “China Best Cars 2014” awards of the German car magazine
“auto, motor und sport,” Audi received prizes as the most successful brand in a total of eight categories: The Audi A6 L was awarded first place in the categories
“Upper Middle Class” and “Domestic Upper Middle Class.” The Audi Q5 was selected as the best “Domestic SUV & Offroader.” And in the brand assessment, Audi took five first prizes: “Reliable Cars,” “Environmentally Friendly Cars,” “Good Customer Service,” “Good Value for Money” and “High Resale Value.”
Audi is listed in first place also in the latest J.D. Power studies for Customer Satisfaction in Sales and Aftersales.
