Auckland - Audi has finished the first six months of 2009 with its highest ever share of New Zealand‘s luxury car market - 26%. The brand has been the leader in this luxury market since 2007, when it outsold its closest rivals for the first time. Audi New Zealand General Manager, Dane Fisher, says he is confident the brand‘s strong market position will continue. “Audi has performed solidly in the challenging economic climate, both domestically and abroad. Our significant market share in New Zealand is indicative of the strength of Audi’s vehicle line-up and its loyal customer support,” says Fisher. “With an established model mix and the arrival of exciting new models such as the Audi Q5, Q7 V12, and the R8 V10, we’re confident of achieving positive results throughout the remainder of 2009.” The strong performance of Audi in New Zealand was mirrored in the international market, with AUDI AG increasing its global sales by 1.3 percent last month, compared to June 2008. Even in these tough economic times, the brand’s sales over the first six months of 2009 were only 9.7 percent down when compared with the same period last year. Audi sales in China and Germany reached record levels in June, while the United States and Western Europe performed more strongly than its competitors. Over the first six months of this year, Audi was the strongest premium brand in Western Europe. Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales confirmed the forecast made by AUDI AG at the start of the year. “We will finish on target – achieving our sales forecast of 900,000 cars in 2009. We have been right on track over the first six months, and the current level of incoming orders serves to confirm our prognosis.” AUDI AG had already anticipated a year-on-year downturn in vehicle deliveries of around ten percent at the Detroit Auto Show in January. In the Asia-Pacific region, Audi also achieved strong growth, selling around 17,500 vehicles in June, an increase of 26.1 percent. Over the first half as a whole, sales figures for the region were 9 percent up on the previous year with around 86,000 vehicles delivered. Commenting on Audi’s performance internationally, Schwarzenbauer added, “Internationally, Audi’s sales success, particularly in difficult markets such as Western Europe and the United States, shows that the brand currently presents the best choice in the premium segment – offering the freshest product range in the industry.” “The new Audi Q5 is enjoying greater success worldwide than its core competitors. We had adapted our product to meet the special requirements of the Chinese market and this is helping drive sales in this ever growing market. In addition, our Audi A6 was the world’s best-selling business sedan in the first half of the year.”
|
