Audi's Best Half-Year in China

Auto manufacturers posting record sales in China are no longer a surprise for anyone, as the Chinese keep leading the industry in this crisis-challenged times. German manufacturer Audi has today joined those who are pleased how things are going in China, as they posted their best half-year in the region in the company's history.

Including Hong-Kong, the Chinese bought 66,866 units in the six months since the beginning of the year, up 11 percent compared with the first half of 2008. June was the manufacturer's best month, with sales amounting to 13,265, up 28 percent.

“This sales record shows us that we’ve made the right choices for the Chinese market, and that our model strategy is matched to the tastes of the Chinese customer,” Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi member of the board of management said in a release.

The Audi A4L, purpose built for the Chinese market, has exploded in the period. Audi delivered 3,247 units of the long-wheelbase version of the midsize sedan to customers in June, more than double than in 2008, when the long version was not available. For the six months, the A4L sold 13,654 units.

Another local version of an Audi, the A6L, managed to post increased sales as well. This model increased in popularity 8 percent, amounting to 46,356 units and becoming market leader in the C segment.

Out of the imported models, sales of the Audi Q7 increased 12 percent in the first half-year to 2,981 units, while the Audi A5 Coupe sold 452 vehicles and, even if it may not seem much, it has tripled its sales volumes.