Audi AG, which is a part of Volkswagen AG, the largest European automaker by sales, sold 964,151 cars in 2007, up by 6.5 percent from 2006 with 905,188. As such, the German automaker is pleased to announce Monday that it is closer to its goal of selling one million cars a year.
Demand for the Ingolstadt-based automaker’s luxury autos such as A4, TT roadster and A6 was behind the raise with auto shoppers in the United States, China, and Britain stimulating the increased sales.
“The outstanding sales figures for 2007 are an important step on the path to reaching our ambitious corporate goals,” said Audi Chief Executive Officer Rupert Stadler. “We were able to grow in all sales regions and we will continue to maintain our fast pace in 2008.” He said Audi expects to break through “the 1 million cars sales barrier for the first time in our history.”In Europe, the German automaker sold 686,480 cars in 2007, up 4.3 percent from 2006, with demand from Britain boosting its record. In the said territory, the automaker sold 100,712 cars, up 17.1 percent from 2006.
Sales in the United States surged 3.8 percent with 93,506 cars sold, compared with 90,116 in 2006. In Asia, meanwhile, sales increased by 21 percent to 134,176 cars sold. The figures are led by demand for imports in China and Hong Kong. In Africa and the Middle East, sales gained 13 percent to 27,866 cars sold, compared with 24,712, according to the Canadian Press.
In Germany, its home market, sales are a bit shaky. To note, sales dropped 1.5 percent to 254,014 from 257,792. However, it was still enough for the automaker to raise its share in the domestic market from 7.6 percent in 2006 to 7.9 percent last year.
The automaker, famed for the manufacture of Audi Quattro parts and other iconic vehicles, is sticking to its commitment to enhance sales without compromising the quality of the cars.