BMW CEO: Audi will NEVER overtake BMW or Mercedes globally-Is he right?

of course he's right....

A4 wont take over C or 3

A6 wont take over 5 or E

ect...

duh

— AMGC55 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 12:32:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

But C has been taken over by G35 and G has it's sites on 3.
And Infiniti M has taken over 5 & E already...just read any car magazine.
BMW and Mercedes better hope that Infiniti doesn't get it's global operations in order because then they are both in trouble.
Plus, Infiniti is way more reliable than the Germans. Who the hell wants to spend a couple of days a month at the dealership for nagging problems like the Germans always require. Trust me. I've experienced it. In 4 years the only time I have spent at the Infiniti dealer has been for routine maintenance. Their cars are bulletproof.

— goojman (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 12:45:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9   

jman ... the has not taken over the 5 or the E. That one kills me. Forget the magazines, cause those are opinions anyways and look at the sales numbers. How many m's are sold in the US compared to the 5 & E? It is not even close. By the way, since you bring up magazines and such, the G35 cant even beat out the 325. Did you know that BMW sells more 3-series in the US than Infiniti sells for their entire lineup? Where do these people come from? lmao

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 12:51:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Don't feel bad, I got deboosted for pointing out how to use the navigation system in a BMW. The people on this site are fantastic.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 9:05:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I'm with you!
I have an A6 2.7t with 6-speed, and its quick, but I'm not going to do any drag-racing with it. Its a 2-ton luxury car with a tiny 2.7 liter engine! Its fun & fantastic, but no match for v8-powered sports-lux cars.

— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 3/29/2007 1:00:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

the lexus brand has nothing to do with this post, please refrain your posting until you can stop being an idiot.

— MBKing (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 1:27:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 12   

Lexus is not global, neither is Infiniti.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 1:21:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

You're an idiot as well. stop posting things that don't make sense to a post.

— MBKing (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 1:27:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

3-Series sold in Feb. = 11,735
C-class sold in Feb. = 3,868
Audi sold in Feb = 2,461

BMW is kicking butt

— MBKing (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 1:36:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Wasn't it the Audi CEO about four months ago that was declaring BMW, Lexus and Mercedes will never have the global success Audi has? What's up with German CEOs?

— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 2:03:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Wasn't it the Audi CEO about four months ago that was declaring BMW, Lexus and Mercedes will never have the global success Audi has? What's up with German CEOs?

— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 2:08:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It's really simple math. If Audi continues its growth rate of 9% vs BMW's 3%, Audi will eventually at least catch up. The A6 already outsales the 5 series and the E class globally and I believe I read somewhere that they are outselling MB for this year. In the end it doesn't really matter. In the end BMW would be wise not to discount the brand too much. I can remember a time when the idea of BMW outselling MB was a joke.

— iown1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 2:19:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Don't confuse BMW group with BMW brand. As a brand I'm pretty sure their numbers were closer to 1.2 million models. Considering additional number of models BMW has it's not that big of a gap.

— iown1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 10:07:02 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Not true. Emergeing markets are getting in the game. India and China are growing at 15% or more. With almost 2 billion people in these two countries combined, it only takes a fraction to make a big difference in current sales in this market.

— indoctrin8ed (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 5:51:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

then you have to all all the Audi, VW, Lambo, Bently, skoda, seat etc models

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 10:33:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BMW, Mercedes and "success" are inevitable.

I bet if Audi distanced themselves further from Volkswagen, the brand would begin to catch up.

— Zackary (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 2:32:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Audi will NOT sustain that kind of growth, only BMW has been able to do that in the last 20+ years

— razzy23 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 2:36:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

True True... Audi sucks

— gcrewzr (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 2:57:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -12   

I got a chance to drive an A4 and S4 for several days. I have to say I was impressed with the A4 and S4. Between Mercedes and Audi, I take an Audi without hesitation. However, once a sub-luxury brand, always a sub-luxury.

— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 3:38:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

You can never really say "never" in the auto industry.

I'm sure the domestic U.S. execs in the 1960's thought they would "never" be threatened by Japanese imports.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 3:44:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

This is why I hate BMW's--their philosophy, their attitudes, and THEIR OWNERS.

Audi's global sales lagged BMW's by a mere 300,000 units for 2006. Audi was able to sell that many cars WITHOUT the SUV's (introduced mid year) or a coupe. If someone wanted a coupe, they'd go to BMW.

After driving an Audi and looking at BMW's, I can say I will never buy one after looking at those cheap excuses for interiors. I wondered, who in their right mind would be dumb enough to pay for that kind of workmanship.

Audi's fit, finish, and materials are superior. BMW's "image" is fastly declining, and now Audi is coming at them with S/RS and a reworked chassis.

CEO's only make these kinds of statements when they KNOW their ass is on the line.

— AUDIMAN4 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 3:56:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

S4, I am a BMW insider, actually. Check your sales figures for 2006 X5's vs. 2005 X5's. Sales were down over 30%. Why? They cut production. BMW didn't want there to be excess 2006's laying around when the 2007's came out, so they cut production and spent half the year with minimal inventory. They also spent most of the year with minimal coupes, convertibles, and M's due to model build outs.

Don't attack me, I'm not the average fanboy on here and I'm not attacking Audi. I'll defend Audi when people say ignorant things about them, which happens quite often on here. But I'll defend BMW when zealots attack them with ignorance too. I believe Audi will continue to grow, but I'll make you a bet at the end of 2006 when the sales figures come out after a year of BMW having all their models available you're going to see a much different number for BMW.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 9:17:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I can see it possibly happening. I have a BMW on order and currently own an A4. Audi makes an extremely fine automobile, and their models are getting better by the minute. The upcoming R8 and S5 are great examples of what is to come.

— supermoto (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 4:04:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The 5/C/E and 3 all have a substantial amount of history and followers behind them. It will take some great automobiles from Audi/Infiniti etc to change peoples minds as most of us tend to stick to what we know and like. Most people don't like change. IMO the M and G both offer the most bang for the buck in their classes but the history is still not there.

— Jonesee (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 4:18:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i would agree i dont think "globally" audi is much of a threat as far as passing mercedes and bmw. audi still has a long way to go, and they are saying it will only take a few years, in order to pass bmw and benz globally they would have to be the #1 brand in the US, and every other country, in the US alone they are not even remotely close to being the #1 brand, so what makes them think they can pass the 2 companies that have the largest share worldwide, sounds like pipe dreams to me, but they could always get "closer"

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 4:50:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i dont know much? you would have to be pretty nieve to think that audi wouldnt have to "at least" take over the us market in many segments to pass bmw and mercedes...lexus infiniti, and acura sell thousands of cars here and are not considered global brands yet. the luxury market in the us is very large, this is where audi is fairing so well so how can they pass a company like BMW that is doin well here and basically everywhere else, not that its impossible but the likelihood is pretty slim. and as far as china Cadillac's and Buick's are very popular there as well, as are again BMW's that was just extremely wishful boasting on audi's part. but hey some people make up things "including sales figures..." to prove that audi could top BMW.....not in the near decade(s)

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 5:38:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

nice work "simply repeating what i said in my post, and proving my point" the japanase brands sell well here and are not even considered global the luxury market here is huge audi's sales are not in the big numbers the main luxury brands here are getting if they cant dominate our market how can they dominate internationally, which would include our market....audi's sales are not high enough in any one market to give them the kind of market share needed to say they will soon be the #1 brand...again just pipe dreams...thanks for the help by the way

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 9:52:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Exactly!
Europe may be small, but there are more cars built in Germany than in the US. You have to add Canadian figures to US to match German production.
And China and India are where the growth is coming from.
Its cheaper to take a taxi everywhere that you want to go than to own a car in Bejiing, yet people are buying a SECOND car there as a status symbol.
And India is just starting to warm up.
IBM has been hiring thousands of engineers and programmers each month.
Engineers often buy German cars..........

— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 3/29/2007 1:26:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The BMW CEO has nothing on the Lexus IS-F in a 0-60 race. LEXUS IS-F FOREVER!

— d1sinfo (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 5:00:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8   

i knew this was going to start something, oh what the hell, why dont i join. i think that both audi and lexus will overtake bmw and MB if they already haven't.

— trd1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 5:03:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

There are a lot of people here hold there opinions very highly. Including BMW's CEO.

— d1sinfo (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 5:12:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Audi will never take over BMW. A Audi is a fancied up VW they all have the same brake light, ignition coil and peeling interior problems. Then as Audi is trying to make it to the top they drop scheduled service. BMW is the only automobile manufactuer that is PROFITABLE and INDEPENDENT in the world! and lets not get started on the re-badged toyota's and nissan's

— eliante5 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 5:16:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

I think audi will do it...but who cares?/

— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 5:36:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Hey BMW4me4ever:
I loved your quote "Forget the magazines, cause those are opinions anyways and look at the sales numbers. How many m's are sold in the US compared to the 5 & E? It is not even close. By the way, since you bring up magazines and such, the G35 cant even beat out the 325. Did you know that BMW sells more 3-series in the US than Infiniti sells for their entire lineup? Where do these people come from? lmao"
You summed it up perfectly. Where do people like you come from? So let me get your line of reasoning correct: Put aside the judgement of car experts who take these cars to the track and test them every which way and instead, just rely on sales. So put aside a judgement based upon real world data and seat time in all 3 cars and instead judge these cars based on sales. So I guess Britney Spears last album was better than the Black Keys latest. Why? Well, according to you because it sold more. This shows you know absolutely nothing. Real tight logic and argument skills sport!
Face it, the Infinit M beat out the E and 5 when car experts took them to the track and evaluated them exhaustively. But ignore that, because the others sell better. You're a genius!

— goojman (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 5:43:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

jamn ... Also, dont bring the sloppy G35 into the sports sedan comment. The G35 is fast but that is about it. Have you actually driven the car hard and pushed it? If not, then go and drive it and you will realize how far the gap between the G35 and 3-series really is. According to the magazines, the G35 lost to not only a 2006 330 sedan, but the 328 sedan just recently. I am guessing it will finish in last compared to the 335 sedan, cause there is no competition

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 6:34:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

jman ... I read the edmunds report. If I am not mistaken it said that in performance the 335 will be faster to 60 mph and thru the 1/4 mile. Did you miss that part of the article? Of course that entire article is based on speculation and such. Until you put the two side by side and compare, your arguement is frivolous. Talk about reading up on some things. That is the pot calling the kettle black. In regards to the 328 and the G35, in outright performance with a manual transmission there was only 1/2 second difference. Most of that can be made up by how good the driver is. Secondly, I will gladly take the 328 over the G35 on a track. The handling differences will more than compensate for the power differences. " Spending other peoples money is easy, and the BMW definitely demands more. But nothing in our testing indicates that it isnt worth it. The G35 scores points for comfort, capable moves and thrust in surplus, but the BMW still builds the BEST tools for driving." Car & Driver April 2007 ........ enough said.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 10:46:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i think this is the first time i really have ever agreed with you, and that took alot for me to admit it.

— jmrA480 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 8:34:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

If you dont have disearability of an arabian camel, then its just you ,moron. Arabian camels are the toughest in the world.... just thought Id let you know. So shut it. There are some places that no car can pass through, but guess what? A camel can.... your so full of s***. Next time you want to mention camels, dont put arabian before it...

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 12:46:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Well, as Ulysses Everett McGill would say, BMW is in a tight spot. Not much rational thinking going on when you are in a tight spot.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 7:23:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

how is being #1 or #2 a tight spot, what are you smoking chewy can I get some. you silly daily Audi post trying to prove something, in my opinion Audi is not in the league of BMW or Mercedes, including the Audi R8, just like the BMW CEO I don't consider Audi a threat. I just love those Audi 2015 wanna be #1 post.

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 7:43:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Audi is now #2. They are ahead of Mercedes for the year.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 11:40:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I find it difficult to believe that the VW/Audi will come near BMW's numbers with continued low sales in North America.

— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 8:12:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Totally agree with BMW CEO. Mercedes are better than BMW, but I like BMW better. And as AMGC55 said, put it his way. Would you see an A4 taking over the 3er and C-Class competition? Would you see an A6 taking over the 5er and E-Class competition? Never. Although Audi have nice cars, they wont be as nice as BMW and Mercedes.

— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 8:40:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Audi has already surpassed Mercedes-Benz worlwide. If I remember, they sold better for the first two months of the year.

If this continues...

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 8:42:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Yep, Audi is poised to take the number 1 spot.

Rememeber, the new Audi A5 and the high-volume A4 redesign are just around the corner and are expected to, for the first time ever, surpass the BMW 3 series in sales in Europe.

Add to that the upcoming Q5 mid-sized SUV, a brand new A8, a revised A6 (which is already outselling the 5 series) and an overall doubling of Audi's model range, and you have a very, very strong case for Audi beating BMW by 2015.

Rememeber, the new A5 (built on Audi's exlusive new MLP platform), goes head-to-head with the 328 coupe (the S5 competes with the 335i), and is more powerful, has rear-biased quattro (more desirable to rear-wheel drive overall), short front overhangs, a vastly superior interior, and better expected reliability. This model represents the beginning of Audi's next major step forward in terms of driving dynamics and refinement that rivals even BMW's superb road qualities.

So, to say that Audi will NEVER take over BMW's sales is arrogant, naive, and ultimately setting the CEO up to look like a putz come 2015 (although he may be dead by then). Audi is already leading in sales on several of its models. Imagine how it will do with a model lineup twice the size, and with the sophistication that the A5/S5's platform (which will span through the A4, A5, A6 & A8) bring to the table.

BMW obviously makes great cars, but it's becoming increasingly obvious that Audi is making better cars, one new model at a time.

— Anim8or (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 9:58:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

Simply put BMW & Mercedes have the name and the game.

And in order for Audi to throw them off their game (a bit), they have to overcompensate and produce a superior product that’s not only more reliable, but at a great reduction in price.

They haven’t done it! And it's easier said than done against a couple of companies that’s not just gonna remain idle.

— weaponX (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 10:04:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Your absolutely right... but they used to sell 3x as many.

— iown1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 10:16:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Umm, according the US consumer reports, Audi already beats both BMW and of course Mercedes (in last place!) in reliability. So much for your failed reliability argument. Audi residuals are now also as good as BMW's at this point, and with some models, better. So that's a bad argument as well.

As far as US sales go, you are correct. For now. Audi is at the end of recovery over its (still unproven) 'unintended acceleration' nonsense. You are obviously completely oblivious to Audi's massive investment in US branding starting in the middle of 2007. Expect Audi's market share to increase by orders of magnitude over the next 5 years in the US.

Although the US is Audi's largest market, it still is not the world. And Audi can actually reach number 1 in global sales even by not attaining the top premium spot in the US. All Audi needs to do is raise its US market share just by a few points to help it reach #1 internationally. This is a very realistic and attainable goal.

Even with BMW increasing the number its models over the next decade, Audi will actually match BMW's numbers by 2015. This is a huge point. To hypothesize: expanding mathematically on available sales data, if Audi currently had the same number of variants as BMW, it would already be at #1 internationally. That's because Audi is selling as well or better, model-by-model, than BMW.

Will Audi become the top US premium brand by 2015? Probably not; but it will come close. Will Audi become the WORLD'S #1 premium brand by 2015? Yes, I believe so.

— Anim8or (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 4:58:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Those numbers are only for US sales.
This article is about GLOBAL SALES.
Where Audi is only 1-2% away from BMW. Looooser !!!!

— rg12345 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 8:53:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Those numbers are only for US sales.
This article is about GLOBAL SALES.
Where Audi is only 1-2% away from BMW. Already ahead of Mercedes (global, again, remember that if you can, please).

US is the most stupid car market ever... BMW vs Audi is one example, but they are so many more good examples I could waste my whole life writing them down. Just one: useless (inefficient) 4L (+) V8 that can barely move a car .. droven by old ladies with 10 mph under the speed limit. Such a waste of gas, money, oxigen, life etc ..

— rg12345 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 8:57:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

In fact, the US isn't Audi's largest market.

Germany and England are both more significant, if you count Germany as a market for them (homeland).

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 1:18:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

This is exactly what sent Ford, GM and the rest down the tubes.

Arrogance. Stupid, ignorant, karmic arrogance.

If BMW's top brass don't rid themselves of this mindset, the metaphorical Toyota will surpass them.

This is, in a way, sitting back. They're saying, "Audi will never be as good as us." They're not backing it up, they're just being arrogant.

Which is what GM did.

Watch your back, Reithofer. I would.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/22/2007 11:45:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Great looking and completely barnd new products (like the S5 pictured) will help with sales increase.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 12:23:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Never say never. But unless you're a German auto executive, drive what pleases you, not what pleases others.

— JMd71 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 12:34:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Audi's sales have been going up %-wise so well because they have been introducing brand new models. The were the last of the big guns to have an SUV, they're only just about to have a coupe, the R8 will contribute virtually nothing to overall sales figures.

Once they have a model in every niche (like MB do) there growth will slow. And remember these are statistics... the more you sell the harder it is to show big % gains.

I do think Audi will catch up BMW and MB eventually, but between the 3 of them I doubt anybody will streak ahead in sales terms.. they'll just end up squabbling over stupid cross-cross-over-platform-sharing-cross-overs in all kinds of foreign markets.

... and lets remember, just because you sell the most, doens't mean that you are best!

— matt635 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 4:08:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

To Anim8or:

Audi traditionally sold more cars in Europe than BMW. It is the opposite lately since BMW overtook Audi in Europe few years ago. So Audi is trying to catch up again. Won't be any spectacular if they catch & overtake BMW again.

Audi have plans to sell approx. 70,000 units of Q7 annually, and approx. 40,000 of A5. Production limits are set a bit higher - but really just a bit. So do not expect due A5 Audi will boost sales by much. 40,000 = aprox 5% of Audi annual sales.

You are forgetting BMW are not standing still. Audi prediction by 2015 is over-pretentious. They have no idea what eg. BMW & MB are doing.

BMW Group eg. will reach 1.5 million bar in 2008 already (1.3 million BMW vehicles, 200k MINI). I'm more then sure BMW brand will be able to grow 15% till 2015 to reach 1.5 million bar. In 7 years that's not a hard job. Especially with new models coming: 1er 3dr hatch (mind that 3dr hatches are the hottest segment in Europe), X6 SportsActivityCoupe, F5 LuxurySportsCruiser, F3 CompactSportsCruiser, Z2, X4 SAC, X1 SAV, Z8 successor, 4dr coupe (Z9 / 8er), ...

Audi has a momentum, and they will do anything to attract the attention: even with such pretentious claims as "We will be leaders by 2015".

Btw, new Audi CEO has soften the predictions saying Audi would be leaders in "quality of products, quality of service, and brand image, and not necessary in sales numbers". And even that is pretentious. Audi CEO claiming Audi to have best brand image among all luxury brands (incl BMW, MB, Lexus, Maserati, Bentley, Jaguar etc)! What a stupid & pretentious little guy.

— TimE (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 4:41:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Another stupid flame war. For what? Because some stupid jackass said that Audi will NEVER overtake BMW or Mercedes globally.And some people are acting here like audi doesn't have any heritage. Audi has been out for long time. Educated people who know something about audis history will claim that many other car companies are not on the same level as audi and not the other way round as some morons on autospies think. And I will post this link again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2yPEB1GVRo

So next time for all those audi bashers learn something before you post moronic comments.
And don't think that i wanted to bash any brand. Mercedes and BMW have also great heritage and hopefully they will be doing fine in the future.

— AUTO_UNION (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 5:46:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

In my opinion,one of the problems is that Audi doesen't offer RWD.A lot of people buy RWD,including myself because of the sport handling.If Audi wants to fight with BMW or Mercedes they have to offer,at least optional RWD vehicles.
Another issue is that they use 80%,if not more,of the mechanics on all VW group cars.The only thing different is the chassis in some cases,the design of course and the much better interior in the Audi but for me is not enough.They're good cars,no question about it but they have to do more.

— Kostin (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 6:01:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Most Germans (CEO's included) have an over-boosted sense of their own personal gravity.

— munich (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 8:18:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BMW owns Rolls-Royce. Volkswagen owns Bentley.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 1:24:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

more corrections....

volkswagen owns lamborghini.
bmw's top flight cars cost far more than the s-class base price of $87K (the 760Li rolls out at over $130K loaded, the M6 at $110...
oh, and china has 1.3 billion not 2 billion people.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 5:03:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

No, Audi owns 100% of Lamborghini. It is part of Audi AG. VW did not buy Lamborghini s.p.a., Audi did.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 11:10:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I bet every Lexus fan on this website drives an 1995 Toyota Corrolla with a L on the hood and an IS badge on the back. Talk about class.

— no1listensanyway (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 1:05:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

RICEMASTER:

Audi sales in China are determined by production capability of Audi China plants. So are BMW Chinese sales.

Vast majority of BMW & Audi sales in china are locally produced cars - since they are much more affordable than heavily taxed imported vehicles of same brands.

Audi production facilities are much larger then BMW ones. Therefore also more Audi cars sold.

Yet, in April 2007 BMW will start to build new factory in China - with production capacity of 50,000 units per year (current factory is able to produce 30k unites annually). So BMW will increase production capacity by 166% - and sales will follow production.

You can't sell more cars than you are able to produce it. That's obvious.

Also: BMW production capabilities worldwide are much bigger than Audi ones. And further expansions are planned: for existing & upcoming vehicles. So ...

BMW CEO knows what he is saying. He knows what media & Audi don't: till 2015 BMW will launch at least 11 new core models (1er 3dr, 1er coupe, 1er cabrio, X6, F5, F3, X4, X1, Z2, Z8/Z10, Z9/8er), not counting M variants.

Mind BMW Group plans to sell 1.6 million vehicles by 2010, and 1.8 million by 2014 (at least 1.5 BMW vehicles among them).

Yes, Audi is growing & getting stronger. Yet their predictions a a bit too pretentious. And that's what Herr Reithofer wants to say.

Also: currently the real global premium players are BMW & MB - with luxury image around the globe. While Audi, Lexus, Infinti etc. are strong & recognized on some particular markets only, yet not globally. Some brands like eg Lexus, Infiniti, Acura Cadillac are not even present globally.

— TimE (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 1:06:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

When you speak of around the globe it sounds like you've done some traveling. I've been around the globe...twice and I can tell you, as an automotive enthusiast, Audi is very much respected as a luxury vehicle maker. Is there room for improvment? Always. But IMHO, after test driving the new S-Class, I still prefer my A8L. Its a subjective choice so I don't want to hear that Im crazy or stupid. The car just fits my style better. I live in the NYC area and I just can't identify with those guys in their 7's and S-classes. I'm not even saying there is anything wrong with them. Great cars, every one. I'm just glad Audi exists. I wish them continued success and look forward to their new models.

— iown1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 3:14:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Of course Audi is considered a premium brand, yet not Tier 1 brand in ALL markets worldwide (like MB & BMW). In some markets Audi is still considered as a "second league premium" - eg. US market.

Talking about brand image, of course, not products. Audi make superb cars, no doubt. And the company is healthy & ambitious. And strong & healthy competition is always a good thing. It will also force MB, BMW, Lexus etc to build better cars - and that's a situation when one party wins: a customer.

— TimE (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 3:28:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Audi obviously is a volkswagen - volkswagens are very ordinary cars. Audi A6 is very close to the 3er/C-Class area but will still miss every time. I have driven in all of them, C350, 330i and A4 3.2 V6. The A6 is also I think equal with the 5er and the E-Class beats them all. But Audi won't catch up against BMW and Mercedes unless both BMW and Mercedes stuff up badly.

— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 5:28:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

Cool down man, so many stupid guys around ... they don't know s..t about cars, they only see some number and that's it. Forget about the whole discussion here .. useless .. People should check the statistics, numbers I mean. For last year Audi was second after BMW, better then MB, but nobody sees that, no ... Audi is a semi - luxury class, can compete with the only luxury class car (in their stupid mind BMW and MB).

They keep talking non sense, don't worry, they will shut up when the stupid CEO from BMW figures it out. He probably didn't get the last year global report, like everybody else.

— rg12345 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 9:02:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Correction:

I Meant:

"The ***VW*** 3.2 is a steel-bodied conventionally injected transverse engine...."

And not:

"the ***Audi*** 3.2 is a steel-bodied conventionally injected transverse engine...."

— Anim8or (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 9:29:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

And the Q7 shares more parts with the Cayenne than the Touareg. And the TT is made of 58% by weight aluminium.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 1:10:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

another 001 BMW love article

MB is close to overtaking BMW and Audi is not that far behind

in the USA BMW is leading the luxury industry with over $5,500 incentive on each car. you can't buy marketshare for ever

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 6:04:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I beleive that BMW's are drivers car. BMW & Mercedes are better balanced cars. Audi are not just there yet. Great interiors, poor reliability. I drive an A6 4.2 and very disapointed.

— mirage (View Profile)

Posted on 3/23/2007 10:39:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

You replied earlier to my comment and said that the A3 is the only car with the same mechanics.I like Audi and I am not biased against Audi in any way because i strongly belive that competion will give birth to better and better cars so it's in the customer's benefit but what i've said is based on facts and not on what i think.The A4's platform is the same as VW Passat,Skoda Superb and Seat Toledo,the A3 is the same as the Golf V,Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia II.The A6 uses less parts due to it's size but the engines are the same you find on VW,Skoda and Seat.The A8 uses the same platform and engines as the Phaeton(except the aluminium chassis).The Q7 shares many parts and all the engines with the Touareg.In Europe,most of the VAG group parts are sold in white boxes printed with all the four logos and a code that fits all four.In China,the Passat is a combination between the Skoda Superb and the new Audi A6.It has A6 taillights (identical),Superb headlights and interior and a Passat grille.Even some of the interior controls are used on all four brands and you can look at the cruise control stick and wipers control on all 4 brands.They're identical and have exactly the same code.I have a long experience with the group because me and my family owned and still own many Passats,Golfs,A6 and Skodas because my brother works for Skoda,my sister-in-law works for VW-Audi and we get large discounts.The only reason i bought my C-Klasse is that i owned a Passat before it and wanted something different,with RWD and i couldn't afford a BMW because it was a new released model in 2005 and it was much more expensive than my Mercedes bought with a large discount.

— Kostin (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 4:13:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

That's why I love my audi - give me the exact compromise I need between sport and luxury. It has both of them, in such a good level I can not complain about anything. Of course BMW M3 is 5% sportier then the S4, but that's also in the price difference, it's all nice and fair. About luxury I am not sure if at the C class level we can say the MB is better than the A4. The C class (not the new one I didn't see it yet) was inferior to the last 2 generation A4 (smaller interior - volume, ride not extremely confortable). I use to have a 2001 C class, drove it for about 10k miles, than I switched to Audi and that's it. I also tried a few 3/5 series, but I can't live with that interior. The car looks great from outside (all BMW, Audi and MB do) but on I "usually" spend my time driving from inside of the car - BMW interior it's not appealing to me, not at all. Far far away from Audi, far away from MB.
On the other side, the S class its a true luxury car, I find it as best in its class, although I would still go for an A8 - for the same reason like ever: I like my car to have it all: luxury and sportiness. Again, don't get me wrong, in my own opinion the S is much classy and luxurious, and again that is reflected in its price.

— rg12345 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 11:48:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The A4 shares no platform with any other VW group car. It used to, 8 years ago.
The Q7 shares 17% of parts with the Touareg,but it shares more parts with the Cayenne.
The A8 has a completely different chassis from the Phaeton, it shares engines and gearboxes with the Phaeton.
The A6 uses 2 engines from other VW group cars (the 2.0 fsi and the 2.0 tdi).

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 1:15:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

kostin you hava e no clue what you are talking about, the A4 uses its own platform as does the A6. Please get your info correct.

— jmrA480 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 2:09:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

People make statements that have no bearing. An Audi is not a VW. Audi are the ones who make most of the engineering triumphs for the group. As someone stated earlier - the R8 is not a Gallardo wearing an Audi badge. For one thing there characters are different and for two - as the Top Gear article posted on this site stated - Audi was the ones who helped Lamborghini to design all of their vehicles since they bought them. Here is the difference - VW owns Audi and shares in expertise and certain parts to save cost. VW bought Audi a generation ago. The difference is that Toyota invented Lexus - Nissan/Infinit and Honda/Acura. There is a big difference.

— truecarlover (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 3:47:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Kostin,
The car parts typically have 3 symbols on them:
VW
Audi
Porsche
Even my VW truck's parts almost all say Porsche on them.

When slamming Audis for being part VW, remember that every Porsche out there is somewhere between partly and mostly (Cayenne) VW too!

— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 3/29/2007 2:02:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

While this seems to be a Heated topic.. In Asia (Korea, India, Thailand) beinge explicit examples because i i vsisited them) Audi has a better rep/presence then BMW . While out here in the US its vice versa

— izfuney (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 4:18:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

While this seems to be a Heated topic.. In Asia (Korea, India, Thailand) beinge explicit examples because i i vsisited them) Audi has a better rep/presence then BMW . While out here in the US its vice versa

— izfuney (View Profile)

Posted on 3/24/2007 4:19:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Audi's are still good cars, but BMW and Mercedes beat them nearly all the time.

— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2007 6:17:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Audi's are still good cars, but BMW and Mercedes beat them nearly all the time.

— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2007 6:17:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Audi's are still good cars, but BMW and Mercedes beat them nearly all the time.

— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2007 6:17:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

sorry, computer wasn't loading and i got a bit annoyed and pressed it down harder. Anyway, sorry if my comment about audis being volkswagen was stupid but they still aren't as good as merc or bmw's. There are two types of high-class cars. Luxury Cars and Sport Cars. BMW = Sport Cars. Mercedes = Luxury Cars. Audi = Luxury a bit, but still trying hard and going no where with all new pointless models.

— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2007 6:19:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

i know a friend who drives an A6, and his wife traded in a BMW 330ci coupe for a Q7 but then was dissapointed with it badly and then bought an ML 500. SOme audi's are good, but the Q7 has in a way gone wrong and so will the A5.

— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2007 6:22:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

As I read the comments of BMW's CEO and some of the fans on this site - I wonder if GM and Ford would have thought Toyota would one day take over? Hasn't anyone learned to never say never? 50 years ago was China's economy predicted to be growing so boldly? When you get arrogant and don't respect your competition you will eventually stumble. Audi vehicles have consistently improved in every way over the past 20 years - financially, performance-wise, quality of materials, engineering prowess, and sales. The gap has closed considerably.... if you said it would be this way 15 years ago - most people would have said you were wrong. As far as reliability goes - none of the Germans are great (as opposed to their quality)- and for the record Mercedes is actually the worst - and that is a measureable fact (go to any reliability index and look it up). To say who will lead is something no one can predict - but to be arrogant can only lead to a fall - it's the same thing in war.

— truecarlover (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2007 4:59:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

3>A4>C
E=5=A6
S>A8=7
Z4>TT>SLK
R8>6>SL

— dayday (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2007 8:16:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

That is correct!!!

— r_driver04 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 3:23:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I would not be so sure! Audi is getting better and better!

— OBSERVER1984 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2007 5:08:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Step back and look at the BIG picture:
What does it take to get "better" in general (quality, reliability, performance, etc.) ?????????????

It takes engineering. What engineering resources are available????

BMW has great engineering, plus ... ???.

Benz has great engineering, plus ... AMG & Chrysler???

Audi has great engineering, plus VW & Lambourghini

VW has the largest automotive engineering team and budget in Europe ... almost largest in the world. In fact, for R&D spending VW is one of the tops of ALL companies in the world (in all businesses)

So, who has the capabilities to have the best product in 15 years? Based on todays resources and cash budgets, Audi (with VW's continued backing) clearly has a huge advantage over both BMW and MB.

Simple economic facts.

— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 3/29/2007 2:12:05 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Audi has a vision to be the most profitable premium car manufacturer in the world by 2015.
A vision is an over-riding idea of what the organization should be and often reflects the dream of the management or its leader. Is this vision realistic? I think it is.
They have a strategy in place which focuses on great engineering, appealing design and excellent product workmanship with contemporary technology based manufacturing process and products which combine sportiness and elegance with safety and security. BMW and Mercedes also have a similar strategy but they are not as passionate and focused in meeting a well quantified vision as Audi and hence the “execution” of their strategy is not as effective. Audi‘s strategy has helped narrow profitability gap with its key competitor BMW and Mercedes and this clearly evident if you look at last 5 years performance.
I am not sure, and it really does not matter, if audi cars will win the most awards or have the highest sales or have the best service dealerships globally. And it will not matter whether BMW or Audi or any other matter will make the most hair raising sport cars ever built. But one thing is for sure. Audi is slowly and surely “upping the ante” and quality, reliability, performance, sales and service. They also have the resources of the VW to bank on to realise the vision. And all this will, in the long term, translate into one of the most profitable premium auto manufacturer

BMW and Mercedes will be foolhardy to believe that Audi is a not a competition. In 10 years time, it will not come as a surprise if BMW or Mercedes will be proud to have made cars better than an Audi because Audi will be the “benchmark” against which premium automobiles will be judged.

— frankspoton (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 5:36:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1