One automotive manufacturer we've been particularly keen on for a couple of years is Audi. Although a lot of commenters seem to think the brand produces vehicles that are not unique enough, it seems that those Audi ads are not telling lies.
Buyers are switching from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz at rates that should concern those in charge at those respective marques. In a press release issued last week, the four rings celebrated another milestone it achieved two years ahead of time — the 1.5 millionth delivery of a vehicle to a customer.
Hats off to you, Audi.
But, even more interesting, was a little tip that Audi's Chairman of the Board, Rupert Stadler, revealed:
"We will continue to write this success story and expand our product range from the current 49 to 60 models. We see a great deal of potential, particularly in the SUV segment and in the especially prestigious full-size category."
So, clearly with 11 planned new models on the way we'll be seeing a lot of interesting metal from Audi. And though Stadler says there's potential in the sport-utility vehicle market, how much more room does the organization have to grow? Could it produce a Q9 to go up against the Land Rover Range Rover? Perhaps the next-gen Q7 will move substantially more upmarket?
That said, what gaps in the product portfolio would YOU fill?
Audi's press release follows:
AUDI AG: More than 1.5 million automobiles delivered to customers
- Milestone delivery today at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt
- CEO Stadler: "Expanding product range to 60 models"
- Sales chief Luca de Meo: "Setting our sights on the next target of two million deliveries by 2020"
Ingolstadt – A special moment for the brand with the four rings: Today, the 1.5 millionth Audi since the beginning of the year was handed over to its owner at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt. This means that AUDI AG has achieved its sales target, set for 2015, two years earlier than planned. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and sales chief Luca de Meo personally handed a customer from Germany the keys to the anniversary vehicle: an Audi A3 Sportback.
"Our whole team is making Audi history today: In 2005, we set ourselves a very ambitious goal, and since then have sparked an unparalleled brand and model initiative," said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. "We will continue to write this success story and expand our product range from the current 49 to 60 models. We see a great deal of potential, particularly in the SUV segment and in the especially prestigious full-size category."
With over 1.5 million deliveries in 2013, AUDI AG will have doubled its global sales within a single decade. In 2003, Audi sold around 769,900 cars annually.
"Today, we are reaching our intermediate target significantly earlier than planned, despite extremely challenging conditions in many markets," says Luca de Meo, Member of the Board of Management for Sales at AUDI AG. "We are now setting our sights on the next target and are in a strong position to achieve the two million mark by 2020."
The company recently achieved record figures for the 47th month in a row since January 2010. The brand's global sales currently exceed the previous record set in 2012 by 7.4 percent.