Photo: Stefan Baldauf / Robert Kah
Spurred on by a huge spike in demand for the A3 compact models, Audi has in the first two months of the year managed to outsell BMW. Remember, we are talking only about two months of the year and about the BMW brand, not the whole group. However, the results are still spectacular considering Audi has never held the premium brand title for a whole 12 months.
We'll have to wait until 2014 comes to a close before calling a winner. But for now, it looks like the premium segment is reshaping itself. For nine years, BMW has stood at the pinnacle of the market, though 2013 was a very close-run race. Last year, only 429 cars stood between Audi and and the Bavarian's crown. The A3 compact now appears to be slowly pushing the balance in favor of Volskwagen Group's subdivision.
Audi sold 242,400 vehicles through February, 383 more than the BMW brand. 43% more A3 compacts were sold so far in 2014, while a 32% grown in Q7 SUV demand was also reported.
New generations of the A4 sedan and estate and Q7 SUV were announced Yesterday by Volkswagen Group, who itself has large ambitions. Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn said in a statement from Berlin that he believes 10 million vehicle sales will be achieve for the first time this year, well ahead of their original 2018 target.
A total of 60 models will likely keep Audi on the growth path, as the company is also expanding its foothold in China. There a new dealership is being opened every week, while sales of the A3, A4 and Q3 crossover are through the roof.
BMW is not going to take things standing still either. They are now pinning their hopes on the 2 Series Active Tourer, an MPV model rivaling the Mercedes B-Class, which is also BMW's first ever FWD car. Its platform, shared with MINI, will underpin a number of other models in the future. New niches are also being targeted by the more compact X4 Sport Activity Coupe and the new 4 Series range of models, which included a coupe, convertible and four-door coupe.
Audi sold 242,400 vehicles through February, 383 more than the BMW brand. 43% more A3 compacts were sold so far in 2014, while a 32% grown in Q7 SUV demand was also reported.
New generations of the A4 sedan and estate and Q7 SUV were announced Yesterday by Volkswagen Group, who itself has large ambitions. Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn said in a statement from Berlin that he believes 10 million vehicle sales will be achieve for the first time this year, well ahead of their original 2018 target.
A total of 60 models will likely keep Audi on the growth path, as the company is also expanding its foothold in China. There a new dealership is being opened every week, while sales of the A3, A4 and Q3 crossover are through the roof.
BMW is not going to take things standing still either. They are now pinning their hopes on the 2 Series Active Tourer, an MPV model rivaling the Mercedes B-Class, which is also BMW's first ever FWD car. Its platform, shared with MINI, will underpin a number of other models in the future. New niches are also being targeted by the more compact X4 Sport Activity Coupe and the new 4 Series range of models, which included a coupe, convertible and four-door coupe.
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