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Audi Sales Flatten Down 0.4% For March

Audi of America, Inc. announced today sales for the month of March totaling 7,987, a decrease of 0.4% from last year’s figures. Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales continued their record-setting trend; compared with last year’s March figures, CPO sales rose to 3,283 units, an increase of 35.2%.

Consumers keeping a wary eye on the economy were ultimately won over by Audi’s combination of fresh design and superior fuel economy.  Increased nationwide sales of the A4, a 26.8% increase over last year, and the TT, with a 443.7% jump, demonstrate the range and strength of the Audi brand. 
 
“Despite economic volatility, customers looking for luxury that’s stylish, powerful and smart continue to find Audi,” said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America.  “I believe that Audi offers the product range, performance and intelligent design that Americans want.”

To date, Audi has sold 20,557 vehicles in 2008, a 2.2% decrease over the previous year; CPO sales for 2008 total 8,896, an increase of 42.9% over 2007.
 
Audi Sales Flatten Down 0.4% For March



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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/1/2008 4:45:26 PMView My AgentSpace
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The A6 and Q7 should REALLY be selling better than that.

I hope a better engine for the A6 and the 3.0TDI for the Q7 can change things.

I'm glad about the A4, though. And I do have to wonder why the A3 went down; it's the most fuel efficient car in their lineup, and a lot more fun than the A4.

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JRobUSCJRobUSC - 4/1/2008 5:11:26 PM
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big trucks and SUV's are just a hard sell right now in the U.S. Even Acura's SUV sales are down, and theirs are bargains compared to everyone elses. Imagine how American car companies must be feeling, whose bread and butter is trucks and SUVs...


ChipChip - 4/1/2008 5:31:09 PM
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S4, we discussed the lagging A6 awhile back and here is more proof. That car badly needs updating, The Q7's drastic drop in sales should also wake Audi up to the idea of freshening it early. There are just so many SUVs out there today and I don't feel the Q7 stands out at all. And S4, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're an Audi enthusiast who bought the X5, so Im thinking you might feel the same.

Audi should realize the reason for that huge increase in sales of the last model year for the current A4 are because Audi finally started offering excellent lease rates that appeal to buyers (and also to those who previously thought they couldn't afford an Audi) I hope they continue on this path, because this is where BMW excels.

I recently had a female friend of mine in the market for a great car at a great price. After some major browsing, she walked away with a nicely loaded A4 2.0T quattro for $350 a month. In comparison, the Mercedes C300 she was considering was a significant amount more per month.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/1/2008 5:52:11 PMView My AgentSpace
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"The Q7's drastic drop in sales should also wake Audi up to the idea of freshening it early."

There is one thing that the Q7 needs dearly: less weight. It's just too heavy to get good mileage, and good mileage is what people want. Like I said, perhaps the diesel will fix this.

"And S4, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're an Audi enthusiast who bought the X5, so Im thinking you might feel the same. "

Not exactly. The X5 is 10 in shorter than the Q7. We didn't consider the Audi because we didn't want an SUV that big. But I will grant you this--if we had wanted a big SUV, we probably would've gotten a GL450 or 320 CDI instead. It's also to retain a balance in our household; I don't want ALL of our cars to be Audis!

"Audi should realize the reason for that huge increase in sales of the last model year for the current A4 are because Audi finally started offering excellent lease rates that appeal to buyers (and also to those who previously thought they couldn't afford an Audi) I hope they continue on this path, because this is where BMW excels."

+1, I completely agree.

I also agree with you, JRob.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/2/2008 12:51:14 AMView My AgentSpace
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And you must have forgotten that the Q7 3.6 has more horsepower than the GX470, despite its 1.1L less displacement and two cylinders less.

The Q7 is a jack-of-all-trades. You're wrong--it excels at many things. It just doesn't lead the class in any of them.


lyonboylyonboy - 4/1/2008 4:57:51 PM
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The A4 numbers are impressive considering a new A4 with significant engineering improvements is just about here. Without the A4 and TT numbers Audi is doing poorly. I look forward to seeing the new A4 and hope Audi can come up with some more competitive engine choices for the A4 and A6.

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xlr8xlr8 - 4/1/2008 6:27:25 PM
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when does the new A4 come out? The one with the a5 interior and r8 lights? I wants that one!!!

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aarononymousaarononymous - 4/1/2008 9:02:47 PM
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September


jeffgalljeffgall - 4/1/2008 6:41:21 PM
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I bet a lot of potential A4 buyers are holding out for the 2009. That should rise sales at the end of the year. A4 will appear in Sept/Oct time frame. I put down a deposit for a new 09 2.0T at my lealership today. Dealer told me pricing will be out next month and manufacturer demos will start to appear in August. She's going to call me when pricing gets in so I can custom order mine. Dealer said she had about 3 orders in front of me so I should get mine with one of the first shipments.

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iamdabest1iamdabest1 - 4/2/2008 10:01:59 AMView My AgentSpace
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i definitely agree that AUDI lease rates are hurting the company.
my last 3 cars have been bmw's because they offer me more for the money when it comes to leasing.

i really wanted an S5 but at 900 per month, i felt it wasnt worth it being that i had an e46 m3 for 811.

i wound up getting a 335xi for 619. per month. ($47,550)

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AlexTxAlexTx - 4/2/2008 10:05:30 AM
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What you people don't realize is that with the Euro as it is right now, the A6 is shipped in very limited supplies for the States.
Yes the car should sell better, but look at the Euro market, the car is outselling the E Class and the 5 Series.
The Q7 has actually one of the best gas mileage for a 7 passenger vehicle considering its size and weight.
I was working the Audi even 2 years ago and compared to the other vehicles the Q7 was superior. The Lexus GX felt like it was about to roll over in the slalom.
Also the Lexus has a HORRIBLE design for it's 3 rd seat and rear hatch..
As S4 said, the Q7 is over 12 inches longer than the X5 and also heavier. Considering all this the Q7 handles beautifully. As far as engine noise goes, it was done on "purpose". Audi is very close to its racing history and most of that "DNA" will be found in its vehicle.

A8 production has been again tighten for the U.S because of popularity in Europe and the strong Euro.


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LexSucksLexSucks - 4/2/2008 12:44:19 PM
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Not surprised. That's what happens when your bread-and-butter car (the A4) is always the weakest performer in its class.

The 2009 A4 will be seriously down on HP compared to the IS350/G35 and 335. Audi needs to ax the 3.2 liter V6. 265hp isn't competitive against 300hp. Combine that with the energy sapping AWD system and you have a recipe for a car that will bring up the rear in comparison test. Great work Audi!

The new A4 also will not have LED tail-lights. Which is a sin for a car that cost as much as the A4 will. I like Audi but they always seem to mess something up when it comes to their bread-and-butter vehicles.

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AlexTxAlexTx - 4/2/2008 4:08:09 PM
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So it has no LEDs in the back... big deal!
Even better, it will have the LEDs upfront.... which I rather have and will give it a very aggressive look.
Not sure what you are talking about.
The new A4 will be the biggest car in it's class (over 6 inches longer than the 3,3 more than the C) and is actually 60 lbs lighter than the old one... that's impressive.
I drove the A5 with the 265 Hp, and believe me, it's fast enough. It's not all about power.
The car has plenty of torque at very low RPM and moves quite fast. You know, people buy cars for the whole package, not just because of HP. Plus it will have one of the best gas mileage in its class, which today seem to be more important than HP.


1evlaudi1evlaudi - 4/2/2008 10:25:15 PMView My AgentSpace
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first let me say that i am not here to get involved in a flame war. I stopped getting involved in those stupid posting and I refuse to get annoy by so much ignorance.

However, it is clear that many here do not know what they are talking about; yes the A4 did well last month, and we had to push them as much as we could because the special editions are here and Audi had many incentives to move the A4. Now we have to worry about moving the S.E before the new one arrive.

The A3 should do well but inventory is fairly low. So is the inventory on TT, A8 and A4 cab.
It is a economic basic fact that you sell according to your inventory. Less choices less sale, period. Especially in the US where customers are used to instant gratification.

The A6 is another issue, we have decent inventory but even the lease special is not very special and the A6 is receiving no marketing and barely any incentives, I also think that the V6, and the V8, are underpowered. Even if less power can mean better fuel mileage, this is America and it's all about the numbers. I hope Audi wakes up and start pushing this car, because I think it is a great vehicle on it's own. Actually the S6 sells pretty well.

The Q7 sells well, it is just that SUV sales in general are down, we still sell V8, especially with the 21', those don't stay long in inventory.

The A8 is a special case, first the allocation is ridiculously small, each dealer has probably anywhere from 0 to maybe 5 ,at most, of them. And the lease is outrageous compared to a 7 series or a S-class. S8 are getting rare and W12 are sold order only.

A5 and S5 inventory is non existent and the waiting list keeps growing, BMW should send Audi a check every month for all the sales we send them...LOL
On the other end, the 1-series sent us a lot of customers and I think that's why the TT sales picked up.

So realistically, there are few excuses needed, besides the A6, it is what it is in the world economic context, supply is low for many cars in the line-up, he Euro is too high and Audi of America is doing the best they can to advertise and subsidize the models they can.
Even if the product is on par with BMW or M-B, that does not mean that Audi's pockets are as deep as the other guys.

This is reality folks, fanboys or no fanboys, like it or not, it is the way the market is right now.

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GodgoreGodgore - 4/3/2008 7:28:47 PM
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1. The A6 is way overpriced, more specifically, lousy lease programs....that's why it's not selling. It's also about 4 inches too long, which is why this car doesn't sell well in a cities like San Francisco, New York, etc...

2. The A3 is an awesome car. Does well in big cities, but comparing lease numbers, for the same price or less, you can get an A4.

3. Salespeople can't even figure out how to program memory seats in the A8 let alone sell the damn thing.

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