Audi Sets New Q1 Record in China

For months, possibly years to come, we'll keep on seeing amazing sales results for the automakers who conduct their business in China. The apparently unstoppable growth which began sometime around 2009, when the rest of the world was in a crisis, continues in 2011 as well, bringing brands like Audi numbers they never thought possible before.

Of course, from a volume point of view, the numbers of cars sold by Audi (and all other German auto makers for the matter) might seem small, but the percentage growth is pointing to a far brighter future, provided the trend continues.

Following a 24,6 percent growth in sales for the first three months of the year, compared to the figures achieved for the same period last year, on Wednesday Audi reported a sales number of 64,122 cars in China and Hong Kong.

The best-selling Audi models on the Chinese market were the A8 L, which managed to sell a total of 1,655 units, the A5 Coupe and the Q5 SUV, in about a month since its launch.

The rise in sales experienced in the last period by Audi, as well as the prospect for the future, has made the car maker announce an expansion of the dealer network in China, from 174 to 400 by the end of 2013.

“Following our record-breaking results last year, in the first quarter of 2011 we once again achieved continuous growth in China,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi member of the board for Marketing and Sales. “For 2011 as a whole we are targeting sales of around 280,000 units there.”