Despite a recent slowdown in sales, China is still the biggest auto market by volume, while August figures suggest the bubble has not yet burst, with demand picking up again especially in the luxury segment.
Audi is targeting a younger demographic in China with smaller cars and luxury crossovers, according to Autonews. By 2015, these models and the general market trend are expected to push Audi production in China to 700,000 units per year, according to the brand’s global sales chief, Peter Schwarzenbauer. By this time, China is also expected to overtake the US as the world’s largest luxury auto consumer.
A much bigger dealer network, expected to grow to 400 units by 2013, is also going to play a crucial role in the expansion as well.
"In China, there are 300 cities with more than a million residents and we are present in only 187 cities," Schwarzenbauer says. "So we are still scratching the surface."
A much bigger dealer network, expected to grow to 400 units by 2013, is also going to play a crucial role in the expansion as well.
"In China, there are 300 cities with more than a million residents and we are present in only 187 cities," Schwarzenbauer says. "So we are still scratching the surface."