Audi Sets Greater A1 Sales Target for 2011

German carmaker Audi wants to increase its sales target for the next year when it comes to the new A1, as consumer demand continues to grow in most markets where it is selling the car. Furthermore, Audi could decide to boost production of its smallest model and predicts that 2011 could bring deliveries of up to 120,000 cars, as compared to 100,000 units initially estimated.

“After getting feedback from our dealers, it's clear that our production rates may need to be increased again to satisfy demand,” Audi's sales chief Peter Schwarzenbauer said. “We are extremely confident that the A1 will be a huge success for us and are running far ahead of plan in some markets."

This statement however doesn't match the one of dealers who repeatedly said that the A1 is not selling as expected because of its high price. Priced from EUR15,800 in Germany, the A1 hasn't impressed so far but still, Audi says it will be able to reach the sales goal for year end.

"The A1 is enjoying considerable success: The company stands by the estimate made at the time of the car's launch that around 50,000 units will be built by the end of 2010 and 30,000 of them delivered to customers," an Audi spokesman was quoted as saying by Automobilwoche earlier this year.

"The Audi A1 is a premium car for mobility in cities. It is therefore a product aimed at a very wide target group," he added.

European pricing for the A1 begins at EUR 15,800 for the 1.2 TFSI 86 hp 5-speed manual version in Attraction trim and at EUR 17,200 in Ambition configuration, going up to EUR 19,900 for the Attraction 1.4 TFSI 122 hp 7-speed Stronic and to EUR 21,150 Ambition level of the same version.