Audi Raises Prices for A6 and S6

these don't sell too well in the States, not sure a refresh will really help to justify the increase IMHO.

— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 12/23/2008 11:12:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Nothing personal against AUDI but I think raising the prices on those cars on an already over priced car is crazy......I think that they would have been more competitive over BMW with pricing but it is what it is.

— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 12/23/2008 11:14:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Audi is doing just fine and is steadily increasing its market share in the US. The article in incorrect in stating that Audi's 2008 sales are down 35%. Audi is only down 5.8% YTD while the industry in general is down by double digits (BMW for example is down 12.3% YTD). The new A6 with the 3.0 TFSI engine should be quite competitive performance wise. I personally know two people who have been driving BMWs for years and have just switched to Audi. They felt that the new Audis offer a more complete and compelling package.

— JustaCar (View Profile)

Posted on 12/23/2008 11:57:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The A6 is priced right compared to the competition.
Keep in mind that the prices were slashed by $5K back in late summer. With the new car, even with the price increase, they will still be less than the 2008 and that with a more powerful engine and slight refresh.

Also sales on the A6 were down, due to the fact that production for the A6 was limited for this year as the car is still in very high demand in Europe and outsells both the E-Class and the 5 Series.
The A6 is a great car that is extremely well built and offers more technology than the 5 or the E, like Lane assist, Side assist and back up camera, none available on the other Germans, and this, for still less than the other 2.
Is it the best handling car in the world?
No... when pushed to the limits a 5 will handle better, but we are not all race car drivers and for every day use, the A6 is more comfortable.
With the new 3.0 Supercharged engine, expect sales to really be good on the car depending on availibility which I suspect will remain tight.

— AlexTx (View Profile)

Posted on 12/23/2008 1:15:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Where'd they get those numbers?
In September, Audi North America reported YTD sales through August were down 8.7% over 2008 (while CPO sales were up over 20%)

Then the new A4 showed up, which is flying out the door.

The S6 price increase is inline with inflation.
A6 is higher ... but has the base configuration changed?

And Audi has displaced Mercedes as the pinnacle of passenger safety.
The A6 is the only German car in the "large sedan" category of the IIHS "Top Safety Picks 2009" ratings:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

And in the mid-size category, the BMW 3-series and Benz C-Class are accompanied by the A3, A4, Jetta and Passat.
And the A5 hasn't been tested yet.

Particularly in areas that get snow, an Audi Quattro is still top value for a luxury car purchase.
(now I'm wishing my A6 wasn't lowered, as our street is 10" deep in hard, frozen, white stuff ... )

— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 12/23/2008 1:24:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

We're in a serious phase of DEFLATION and European car companies want to raise prices now. Not to mention the Euro has suffered as of late vs the dollar.

They'll do great in 2009!

— kablaam (View Profile)

Posted on 12/23/2008 3:03:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The Base A6 gets the new supercharged 3.0 with 300hp for $45k. No that bad a deal.

— steve27t (View Profile)

Posted on 12/23/2008 5:32:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3