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Report: A3 Sedan Planned For Audi’s North American Lineup

GermanNut submitted on 10/6/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:33:14 AM

8 user comments | Category: Spy Shots | Source: | SOURCE: www.motorauthority.com

Audi has an ambitious goal to become the top selling luxury auto brand in the world by 2015 and to do so the company is planning an aggressive new model roll out.

Audi hopes to have a total of 40 different models on sale by the middle of the next decade, including several brand new additions such as the A1 minicar, A7 four-door coupe, Q3 crossover and possibly even a production version of its all-electric e-tron concept car.

Additional vehicles will include new variations of existing lines. One of the most anticipated models is a sedan version of the next-generation A3 compact (current model pictured), which will reportedly be sold in North America.



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Report: A3 Sedan Planned For Audi’s North American Lineup

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GermanNut

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User Comments

david999


Hopefully one of the 40 planned models will sell in North America, because so far, sales have been less than mediocre. I think they have to reduce pricing to get any traction in the U.S. as there is just too much competition in America and Audi is still viewed as a slight step ahead of VW.

— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 11:43:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

tango

An A3 sedan is a mistake that they will come to regret. It will steal sales from the A4 no matter what they think. Pricing and a clear positioning with regard to the product line and the intended customer needs to be established.

— tango (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 12:30:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

GermanNut

I disagree completely. Look at Audi's GLOBAL sales. Despite less than mediocre sales in the U.S. Audi is rapidly catching up to Mercedes-Benz and BMW on a global level due to a stronger presence in China and Europe.

The U.S. will not see its luxury auto sales grow as fast as China's when unemployment is likely to top 10% by year-end.

Even with a very mediocre showing in the U.S. market, Audi has consistently raised its marketshare in the U.S. as the year has progressed.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 12:32:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

StarSearch

while true GN, the problem is that Americans KNOW that Audi is 'back of the pack', and most expect Audi to price lower to compete. Its not like you see the sticker and go "wow, that's all?!", its more like "ummmm, no I won't pay $52k for an A4".

Audi is notorious for 'optioning one out spirals out of control quickly'. They're definitely not a good deal, and in the largest luxury car market in the world they need to be. Having 40 models in the US is akin to nailing jello to the wall.

— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 1:38:08 PM | | Votes: 2   

LexSucks

Audi Golf

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 2:20:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

dannyjeffers

Basically Audi is going the way of Cadillac with this one. They're gonna have the RS4 really let itself go and weight in about 4500lbs - then call it an M5 competitor. Just like Caddy did with the CTS-V. Hopefully a larger A3 sedan will be more in line with the 3 series.

— dannyjeffers (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 6:37:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Audiphile

If Audi expects the A3 to sell well in the U.S., they will have to do a better job of differentiating the car from the Golf.

— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 11:21:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

rubenkincaid

Bad idea. Will dilute the brand further and lessen the A4 market. How about that A5(?) sedan hatch though? Nobody else has that. Come on (you pussies at Audi US, you know who you are), bring it over here.

— rubenkincaid (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 11:44:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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