The Bavarians do things their own way and they seem to be doing them right, as Audi has realized it will take longer to overtake them than was previously expected.
In an interview with German publication Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler admitted the plan to beat BMW has been pushed back all the way to 2020. Partially to blame is the European market that’s slow to recover from its worst slump in a very long time.
“By 2020 at the latest,” Stadler said. “ It is not about overtaking BMW tomorrow or the day after, but to seize and secure the top position.”
It’s not all bad news, however, as Audi overtook Mercedes Benz to become the second biggest luxury automaker in the world. But Daimler isn’t taking this sitting down and wants to retake its position by 2015 with a stronger presence in China and new models like the A-Class and the CLS Shooting Brake.
“By 2020 at the latest,” Stadler said. “ It is not about overtaking BMW tomorrow or the day after, but to seize and secure the top position.”
It’s not all bad news, however, as Audi overtook Mercedes Benz to become the second biggest luxury automaker in the world. But Daimler isn’t taking this sitting down and wants to retake its position by 2015 with a stronger presence in China and new models like the A-Class and the CLS Shooting Brake.