	Agent009 "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
	View My AgentSpace

What Are They Doing Different? Audi Sales Dip Only 5.4% In September

Agent009 submitted on 10/01/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 3:07 PM
from: www.autospies.com

[76] user comments | category: Misc News

Print this Page |

Digg It |

del.icio.us

What Are They Doing Different? Audi Sales Dip Only 5.4% In September

Audi of America announced today auto sales for the month of September totaling 7,584, a decrease of 5.4% from last year’s figures. Audi new vehicle sales fell 3.9% year-to-date as the company faces stronger economic headwinds. Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales decreased by 10.6% compared to last year’s September figures, although sales continued to grow year-over-year at 31.0%.

“The all-new Audi 2009 A4 arrived this month to critical praise and high consumer interest in its segment-leading fuel economy, design and performance. Demand for the new A4 boosted our overall sales by more than one thousand units over August’s figures. In addition, increased sales of our A5 and R8 models point to the continued strength of Audi’s portfolio of all-new, progressive luxury autos,” said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America. “We believe that Audi will maintain its strong luxury market share despite consumer concerns about the economy, and we expect to see momentum around the new A4 continue to build well into the fall season.”

The arrival of the all-new Audi 2009 A4 models in dealer showrooms boosted consumer interest in the brand throughout the month in spite of the model’s late-September release. Based on government data and independent test results, the 2009 A4 2.0T leads its key competitors in fuel economy and 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration.

Audi posted increased nationwide sales of its A5 model; dealers recorded a second month of record sales for the all-new A5 due to improved availability, with 719 units sold. Sales of the R8, Audi’s premier example of its progressive German engineering, rose by 9% compared to September of last year.

Audi continues to impress industry analysts and other third-party industry watchers. J.D. Power and Associates, the respected industry organization that measures, among other things, quality within the auto industry, recently noted that Audi posted the greatest ranking improvement in initial quality during the 2008 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey. The Audi Q7, A3, A4 and A6 have also been recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as Top Safety Picks in 2008, earning Audi the most Top Safety Pick designations for 2008 models of any luxury automaker this year.

See The Latest Photos In Our 2008 Paris Motor Show Gallery

What Are They Doing Different? Audi Sales Dip Only 5.4% In September

Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]

AgentOrange - 10/1/2008 3:16:15 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

This is the corollary of "the bigger they are, the harder they fall"..

reply to this comment

Agent009 - 10/1/2008 3:23:07 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Could be, but I would not really think that the demographic would be that different. I mean only Mercedes is not posting huge double digit declines. It almost seems like "something" is up

jasaero - 10/1/2008 4:33:11 PM

0 Boost

Also when selling in the sub 10,000 unit per month range they probably have a pretty narrow demographic they sell to in general and that demographic isn't holding out on buying quite as extreme or is having an easier time getting loans or something?

MeanVulcan - 10/1/2008 5:27:20 PM

-3 Boost

its easy to force a comparison and try to find a relation but that does not make them correspond.

MeanVulcan - 10/1/2008 6:01:02 PM

-3 Boost

Agent009 ..."I mean only Mercedes is not posting huge double digit declines"

umm, did you read the headline of the article.

Agent009 - 10/2/2008 10:58:20 AMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

MeanVulcan-

Other than Audi being down 5.4% everyone is posting double digit drops in sales. Mercedes is the least of the double digits down 16.4% so I am not sure what you mean. In this case big declines for me is over 20%.

Mercedes down 16.4%
Infiniti down 24.1%
Acura down 27.5%
BMW down 29.6%
Lexus Down 33.49%

IamEvilHomer - 10/4/2008 11:58:12 AM

0 Boost

there are 3 reasons that Audi is doing better then the rest.

1. Most of the Import High Groups gains over the last 10 years has been in SUVs.

Porsche 50% of their sales are SUVs now,
Lexus always sells trucks better then cars.
BMW, MB Acura, Infinity all trucks. Audi only has one SUV and they are new to the market with small volume.

2. A lot of the Import High Group has most of their gains in the market has been because they "buy" market share. The Germans MB and BMW have been doing it for a long time. 10 years ago (before the C class) if you owned a MB then you had a high end car. Now a C-class is cheaper then a Honda payment.(why buy a honday when you can lease a MB for less a month). The money is now drying up and it is harder to support the sales numbers.

3. The Market is soft in the USA. All of the Import High Groups #1 market is here in the USA and they are infulanced more because of the hard times in the US market. Audis 4th largest market is the USA. MB, BMW, Lexus, Acura, Infinity, etc there market is the USA.

This all being said our store is up 120% over last year. We have sold over 250 more cars then we did last year at this time.

budfrogS4 - 10/1/2008 3:58:34 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Did they not have a whole month of A4 sales? I'm sure that the debut of the A4 saved Audi from going into the double digit decline shown by all the other automakers. But it's strange that it didn't gain over last year.

Gains in A5 sales are also helping a lot. That's most likely due to supply restrictions a year ago.

reply to this comment

Audiphile - 10/1/2008 4:18:36 PM

-3 Boost

Not withstanding a few demonstration-only A4s available in late August, the A4 did not go on sale nationwide until September 15. October will be the first full month of A4 sales data.

Audi makes some very nice cars, but why are they holding up so well when the rest of the automotive universe is collapsing? Any ideas?

mclaren428 - 10/1/2008 4:33:09 PM

+5 Boost

I have a good idea why.....b/c they barely sell any cars in America...BMW sold almost as many 3 series as Audis total sales for the month. Yeah Audi's drop may be less but BMW is still selling more vehicles no matter what way you cut it. BMW just set a higher bar last year...and when the financial system is going down the tubes, so are peoples abilities to want to buy a car.

MeanVulcan - 10/1/2008 5:50:29 PM

-6 Boost

McL428...so, with your logic...

an investment that gives me a consistent 10% ROI (Share Price $100, 1st yr profit=$10)

is BETTER than

one that gives me a consistent ROI of 20% (Share price $40, 1st yr profit = $8).

Yeah, ok. Nice try. That may fly with BMW lesees but you'll find it hard to sell it to Audi buyers.

mclaren428 - 10/1/2008 6:17:23 PM

+6 Boost

They are both taking losses when compared to the previous year. But BMW is still selling considerably more units then Audi, and each unit more that BMW sells is more money then Audi is accumulating in sales.

aarononymous - 10/1/2008 7:57:39 PM

-1 Boost

But if this continues to be a trend then BMW is losing market share to Audi. There are a lot of valid arguements on why Audi sales didn't drop as much as their competitors but the fact that BMW sells more cars doesn't seem like one of them.

Audiphile - 10/2/2008 1:50:01 PM

0 Boost

McLaren,

Thanks for trying, but I don't follow your logic. If BMW is the car that everyone aspires to buy, but can't afford one because of the economic crisis, that doesn't mean that they will buy an Audi as a cheaper alternative. Most Audis cost the same or more than their BMW counterparts. Also, even though the Audi demographic is a little younger, better-educated and more affluent than BMWs, such buyers would still be adversedly affected by the current financial mess. Yet Audi sales are basically flat for the year to date, while BMW's sales are down significantly.

mclaren428 - 10/2/2008 4:09:51 PM

+3 Boost

"Thanks for trying, but I don't follow your logic. If BMW is the car that everyone aspires to buy, but can't afford one because of the economic crisis, that doesn't mean that they will buy an Audi as a cheaper alternative."

Thanks for trying?
Hey Audiphili Thanks for trying to understand what i wrote..you were close....actually no you weren't.

"Most Audis cost the same or more than their BMW counterparts. Also, even though the Audi demographic is a little younger, better-educated and more affluent than BMWs, such buyers would still be adversedly affected by the current financial mess. Yet Audi sales are basically flat for the year to date, while BMW's sales are down significantly."!?!?!

Audi is down 3.9% BMW is down 4.8% for the year. thats less then one percent between the two..thats nothing.

KZ258 - 10/1/2008 4:01:51 PM

+3 Boost

thats amazing. Audi embarrassed BMW this month on sales

Audi > bimmer

reply to this comment

silver1 - 10/1/2008 4:04:42 PM

+3 Boost

You can the attention getter L-E-D Headlights for $40,000 instead of paying $100,000 for a Lexus LS 600

reply to this comment

audispy - 10/1/2008 4:15:21 PM

0 Boost

Audi has been getting awards for their car designs, winning races at the Le Mans, putting out great advertisement (no matter how deceiving they are) and have great cars out right now and an even better halo car named the R8.

That combination just has to work and clearly it has.

reply to this comment

Audiphile - 10/2/2008 1:42:21 PM

0 Boost

Your explanation is as good as anything else I've heard. Thanks.

StarSearch - 10/1/2008 4:33:25 PM

+3 Boost

Dammit! This means no good firesales on a new Audi!!!

reply to this comment

VISO - 10/1/2008 5:29:34 PM

-6 Boost

BMW may sell more mclaren but that has nothing to do with overall percentage changes. BMW has done worse simple as that. Could be demographics and type of buyer, could because Audi is on a roll with its vehicles, brand awareness, keeping a conservative business outlook and chasing volumes like BMW. Just because they sell more doesn't mean its better. Don't sound so sore.

reply to this comment

mclaren428 - 10/1/2008 6:21:44 PM

+4 Boost

are you on the same planet...or do you just not read the posts

VISO - 10/1/2008 5:30:14 PM

-8 Boost

I meant not chasing volume like BMW.

reply to this comment

mclaren428 - 10/1/2008 6:23:24 PM

+5 Boost

why would a company not chase volume...its business thats the whole point...to sell your product.audi is not doing anything better BMW is still sell more products.

Agent009 - 10/2/2008 11:00:39 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Chasing volume is valid for sales but chasing profit always keeps you solvent.

mclaren428 - 10/2/2008 3:52:40 PM

+5 Boost

I'm pretty sure BMW is solvent,what they don't sell in America they send else ware or they just cut back on production to reduce loss.BMW is one the most financially sound auto manufactures in the world. Anyway over all BMW is down only 4 percent and Audi is down 3.9 for the year....so over all the gap is the same as it was a year ago.

MeanVulcan - 10/1/2008 5:33:23 PM

-4 Boost

I've posted links to Forbes articles on german automakers' demographics in the past. Audi has one of the highest earning buyers after Porsche and Mercedes (MB by only a small margin) and above Lexus and BMW. Audi buyers do not depend so highly on leases (I personally own my Audi) and thus do not extend themselves to try to buy more.

Additionally, Audi has excellent products that offer best in class fuel efficiency and very appealing styling and improved performance - as in the new A4 (which I have driven and been extremely impressed with).

I'm not surprised that a higher percentage of Audi buyers keep buying Audi even during bad times.

reply to this comment

carE10 - 10/1/2008 5:49:14 PM

+4 Boost

the 335 with double clutch gets better mileage then the new S4..

MeanVulcan - 10/1/2008 5:58:48 PM

-7 Boost

carE10, so you make your point with one of the least fuel efficient Audi sports car?

Nice try. Everyone knows overall Audi (A3, A4, A5, TT) has a better fuel efficient fleet than BMW (X5, X6, 5s, 7s). Audi offers many more 4 cyl cars and better diesel technology that will only increase the lead in fuel efficiency and performance over the ENTIRE PRODUCT LINE.

You can keep at it with individual comparisons to serve your own interests but you're not selling your weak argument to anyone.

carE10 - 10/1/2008 6:07:32 PM

+5 Boost

"Nice try. Everyone knows overall Audi (A3, A4, A5, TT) has a better fuel efficient fleet than BMW (X5, X6, 5s, 7s). Audi offers many more 4 cyl cars and better diesel technology that will only increase the lead in fuel efficiency and performance over the ENTIRE PRODUCT LINE."

your such a fanboy its not even worth arguing with you.your a joke. your comparing four 4 cylinder audis to four v8 powered BMW's?.....yeah ok

And BMW currently produces the best diesels(and petrols) period. They produced the first diesel with over a 100 hp/liter.

VISO - 10/1/2008 6:31:21 PM

-8 Boost

You are such a fanboy...who carE10 or Meanvulcan? Sounds a bit hypocritical carE10.

reply to this comment

carE10 - 10/1/2008 6:48:24 PM

+6 Boost

you and meanvulcan..your probably the same person anyway.

How am i a fanboy? i stated that the 335 got better mileage then the s4...

huu76 - 10/1/2008 7:06:54 PM

0 Boost

Looks like their secret is the 5. Without it, their drop would be about 15% (still better than the rest).

reply to this comment

Larry - 10/1/2008 7:13:34 PM

+4 Boost

Agent 009 you must work for this auto news website, i must inform you that BMW has redirected 44,000 BMW sales from the US to other markets like Europe because they are losing money. Audi is not doing this yet their sales still drop. Audi is still unsuccessful.

reply to this comment

aarononymous - 10/1/2008 8:01:31 PM

-2 Boost

so they could have sold more in the US they just lose money on the sales??? Why even bother selling cars here then? Is there a shortage of cars in Europe? Can you even sell a new US certified car in another country? hmmmm....

S4cabriofoxone - 10/1/2008 10:30:10 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Audi hasn't focused on the US in the first place, idiot. Whenever they ship more cars here--A5, for example--they sell more. But because they don't really do that, they don't sell well. Audi of America has expressed distress over this but the Audi brand itself focuses on Europe and Asia. Another example would be the A8; you can't get an A8 SWB without special-ordering it. They only carry A8Ls on the lot.

"Audi is not doing this yet their sales still drop."

Do you really expect any luxury maker's sales to go up this year?

Dutchman - 10/2/2008 2:48:06 PM

-2 Boost

Larry you moron go back to a BMW fan site. Redirected BS! Audi sells as many cars as BMW in Germany and Twice as many in Asia. Stop already with these stupid responses, it only makes you look dumb...both are good cars and right now Audi is having better percentage results then BMW in North America.

bmwdrvr - 10/3/2008 3:56:23 PM

+1 Boost

lol what a joke, Audi like everyone else is in business to sell cars, and make money, they just realize their demand here is extremely low, if your theory was right about them(other creating a fake sell out effect with the A5 which by the way is abundance in alot of markets)than every single Audi on every single lot would be sold out, and their sales wouldnt decline at all so that theory is BS.....they just sell very poorly here in the states

vman1013 - 10/1/2008 9:51:43 PM

0 Boost

Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America. “We believe that Audi will maintain its strong luxury market share despite consumer concerns about the economy, and we expect to see momentum around the new A4 continue to build well into the fall season.”

This douche bag will be the next casualty of the economic crisis. WHAT PART OF "THE CREDIT MARKETS ARE SHUT DOWN" DOESN'T HE UNDERSTAND? THEY KNOW WHAT SEPTEMBER LOOKS LIKE. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE RESULTS.

reply to this comment

aarononymous - 10/1/2008 9:58:13 PM

+1 Boost

lol, first off what do you expect the CEO to say..."we pulled a rabbit out of our A$$, the market is totally screwed & Audi is planning on puling out of the US."

second why would Audi be the next casualty if they had the smallest decline in sales vs their competetors?

"THEY KNOW WHAT SEPTEMBER LOOKS LIKE. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE RESULTS." ?????

vman1013 - 10/2/2008 11:44:24 AM

+2 Boost

Anyone excited about selling 7,500 cars in a month is delusional! The CEO should be saying (in more professional terms) "we were happy not to have shit the bed as bad as everyone else % wise but the month did not meet our expectations". This is an econony of absolutes. Percentages are irrelevant. Does 7,500 cars per month cover our overhead!

And yes, wait until the September #'s are released - I guarantee there will be a sequential decline month over month for all new cars makes.

Body shop revenues and used car sales are going to be stronger over the next 6-months than new car sales!!

aarononymous - 10/2/2008 6:49:31 PM

0 Boost

September's number are released, we are looking at them. I think everyone knew they were taking a loss this month, Audi took by far the smallest from what is posted here, whouldn't that catch your attention, whatever the reason was?

S4cabriofoxone - 10/1/2008 10:32:59 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Their sales aren't impressive (as usual), but I am glad they're relatively stable.

What annoys me the most is that the A8 and TT each only outsold the R8 by about 190 units. When you can pick up a brand new A8 for $10K off they should be pushing it more. That's why the current 7 Series is still posting decent sales--BMW puts its deals out there.

I'm also surprised that the A3 continues to dip in sales. It's such a great little car and you'd think people would be leaning towards a more fuel efficient luxury car.

I hope the new A4 can sell better. The new 2.0T is really a fantastic engine!

reply to this comment

S4cabriofoxone - 10/1/2008 11:21:47 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

I didn't look at other companies' sales before making this post. Now I'm VERY impressed.

dgoodson - 10/2/2008 12:52:14 AM

0 Boost

Audi's saving grace was the A5/S5. They sold 115 in 2007 and 2008 to date they've sold 4191, so it definitely helped offset the sales declines of their other models. Without the A5/S5 sales they'd be off almost 10%.

reply to this comment

S4cabriofoxone - 10/2/2008 12:36:32 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

And? You're saying that as if it's an excuse. They put out a new model and it happens to help sales. BMW put out the X6 and 1 Series this year--look where they are.

bmwdrvr - 10/2/2008 6:30:32 PM

-1 Boost

idiotic comment, for one the 1 series is doing MUCH better sales wise than the sad number of combination A5/S5 cars are....2nd the X6 and 1 series are helping the sales for BMW when you sell more 3 series than just about the entire lineup from Audi not to mention the number of 5 series, and X5 cars that are still selling well of course it would seem that way. There sales are already poor here in the US......last month figures were very high for declines at Audi, so lets not act as if all of sudden poor sales are a good thing...because last month when they tanked from already doing bad it was just the opposite

S4cabriofoxone - 10/3/2008 12:59:41 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Your point? BMW is still the one down 30% this month, so the A5 is obviously helping a helluva lot more than the 1.

And, I have to ask, do you see any A5s or S5s sitting on dealer lots? Of course you don't. Audi sells every single one it brings here. They only sent 719 this month so they sold as much.

On the other hand, there are about 10 1 Series cars collecting dust at both the dealers in my area. Keep in mind that I'm a big BMW fan and the 1 is amazing and all, but I am sick of haters like you.

bmwdrvr - 10/3/2008 3:52:26 PM

-1 Boost

and Im sick of idiots like yourself..........your the one that brought BMW into this topic, otherwise I would have no reason to mention how well the 1 series is doing...such a joke.....EVERYTHING at Audi had a decline except the 2 new models yes everything that on top of their already pitiful sales, and factoring an over 500% increase in sales for a new model is how they got this small decline.....so instead of being the bias hypocrit that you normally are....do some research, use logic, and stop posting idiotic, posts.........

S4cabriofoxone - 10/3/2008 11:47:54 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Oh, please. You are one of the most stubborn fanboys on this site. You're not as annoying as amazinBimmer but you're just as naive.

What makes me a hypocrite? Please explain.

Do you have an Audi in your garage? I don't think so. I am a representative for both Audi and BMW on this site. Guess who would know about both brands? Hint: not you.

I don't like Audi any more than BMW--I hold them on exactly equal ground. Like I said, though, I just hate people like you. You give BMW owners a bad name.

Mercedes - 10/2/2008 2:35:09 AM

+1 Boost

They ain't selling shyt to begin with! Thats what they're doing different!

reply to this comment

aarononymous - 10/2/2008 8:55:30 AM

0 Boost

that little "%" pretty much eliminates your arguement

Larry - 10/2/2008 9:41:52 AM

0 Boost

The Bottom line i,s Audi is a wanna be BMW POS! Bad economy or good economy Audi is a rebadged VW POS!

reply to this comment

AudiNewEngland - 10/2/2008 12:45:13 PM

-5 Boost

Then why do the wealthiest and most highly educated people buy Audis and not BMWs?

While I was getting my Ph.D, you were at community college. Now while I bought my first Audi for $63K, you leased your 328 for $300/mo because your sub-affluence failed to afford you a real vehicle.

I'd rather be the Audi driver.

Larry - 10/2/2008 9:41:58 AM

-5 Boost

The Bottom line is Audi is a wanna be BMW POS! Bad economy or good economy Audi is a rebadged VW POS!

reply to this comment

StarSearch - 10/2/2008 10:05:56 AM

+3 Boost

Did you spend all morning preparing this statement..it seems so well thought out.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/2/2008 12:37:15 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Audi leases are significantly more expensive than any of those three brands.

reply to this comment

AudiNewEngland - 10/2/2008 12:48:13 PM

-1 Boost

If this were true, why would people be spending $40K on a 4-cyl 2009 A4 and not $30K on a 328i?

You lack intelligence.

reply to this comment

aarononymous - 10/2/2008 6:44:52 PM

+1 Boost

There total sales are meaningless when you deal with percentages, this is from the same idiots who are all over Audi when BMW shows a higher increase year-to-year than Audi.

reply to this comment

Whelan - 10/2/2008 10:27:38 AM

0 Boost

The bottom line is the new A4 is a great looking car and performs well. You can get a turbo 2.0L with the AWD and get good gas mileage, and get the car loaded with your options for less than the cost of a similarly equipped 325xi that gets worse gas mileage. I realize people flame for the fact that BMW is BMW and what not. But just face it, Audi/BMW/Mercedes are all in the same categories like it or not. So the advantages Audi faces:

1) Cheaper price than its competitors
2) More standard features, lots more.
3) fuel efficient 4 cylinder engines

reply to this comment

steve27t - 10/2/2008 12:44:54 PM

+1 Boost

Amazing, Audi does better than all other makes and this thread, which seems to be full of BMW Fanboys, slates them. The average reader cannot get out of their little box, (USA) and see the big picture (World). Note than VW also fell less than 10%.

reply to this comment

AudiNewEngland - 10/2/2008 12:51:01 PM

-4 Boost

Yes,
BMW may be selling X amount of 3-series, but that's about all. The vast majority of BMWs on the road are 3s, while Audi is selling a variety of their car line. This is due to the fact that Audi buyers are higher educated and make more income annually. Thus, they are not limited to a $30K "luxury" vehicle and are free to stray from entry level.

Go to an accredited school, get a better job, and once you make more money, buy an Audi.

reply to this comment

Dutchman - 10/2/2008 2:55:33 PM

0 Boost

Now that Porsche owns 31% OF VW all you BMW fanboys need to start saying Audi is just a POS PORSCHE! and BMW fanboys are Dumb Fcks.....

reply to this comment

mclaren428 - 10/2/2008 3:57:46 PM

+1 Boost

not really, an Audi still looks like a vw...not a Porsche... and the purchase of the controlling stake just took place ,you wont see any fruits from this deal for a long while.

aarononymous - 10/2/2008 6:42:54 PM

0 Boost

yes really, it make about as much sense (none)

VISO - 10/2/2008 3:11:24 PM

-4 Boost

Actually, Audi global sales for September 08 (will be released soon) rose by 12.2% to around 96,000 units. Will be interesting to see their competitor's numbers.

reply to this comment

VISO - 10/2/2008 10:20:08 PM

-1 Boost

Wow, I get deboosted by sore little bmw fanboys for giving a stastic that isn't favorable to little ole' bmw. What a joke you bmw fanboys are. Get over yourself. Nobody cares you drive a BMW expect your reflection.

Audiphile - 10/2/2008 10:10:28 PM

-3 Boost

I talked to my Audi dealer this afternoon. He claims that the reason for Audi's stable sales so far this year is because increased sales of the A5 and R8 models. He also said that his dealership is still offering loan and lease packages because they have had very few defaults in the past, and many of their customers would be able to pay cash for their cars if they had to.

reply to this comment

Audiphile - 10/3/2008 2:30:44 AM

+1 Boost

mclaren428,

I MEANT to refer to September sales when I stated that Audi's sales were relatively flat, while BMW's sales were down significantly. The phrase "year to date" that I wrote was a fragment of a sentence that I had written and then decided to erase. I thought I had erased the whole sentence, but apparently not. Sorry about that.

You were right about the year-to-date sales percentage changes - Audi sales were down 3.9%, while BMW sales were only slightly worse at 4.8% down.

Which brings me to another point. Year-to-date U.S. sales of 8 manufacturers - Chrysler, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan/Infiniti and Toyota/Lexus were down 5% or more. (I don't have the exact sales figures for Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi and Subaru yet.) Only four manufacturers posted year-to-date sales that were either up or down less than 5% - BMW/Mini, Honda/Acura, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi/Porsche/Volkswagen. What are they doing that the others are not?

reply to this comment

Audiphile - 10/3/2008 2:14:58 PM

+1 Boost

Correction,

Mercedes-Benz is NOT one of those manufacturers whose year-to-date U.S. sales are down 5% or more. Sorry about that.

Audiphile - 10/3/2008 2:15:06 PM

+1 Boost

Correction,

Mercedes-Benz is NOT one of those manufacturers whose year-to-date U.S. sales are down 5% or more. Sorry about that.

mclaren428 - 10/3/2008 11:23:14 AM

+2 Boost

"Only four manufacturers posted year-to-date sales that were either up or down less than 5% - BMW/Mini, Honda/Acura, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi/Porsche/Volkswagen. What are they doing that the others are not?"

They all make good cars I guess. :)

reply to this comment

To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories

BREAKING PORSCHE NEWS: The Panamera Breaks Cover, Not At the LA Auto Show - But Here At AutoSpies.com Renault-Nissan Alliance unveils brand-new V6 dCi Diesel engine Vw Scirocco is the official 2009 TUNE IT! SAFE! campaign vehicle 2010 Lincoln MKZ revealed in LA LA Auto Show: Hyundai HED-5 i-Mode Concept Last Lamborghini Reventon reaches its buyer Vw Rabbit and GTI making U.S. debut in Sempember 2009 2009 Mercedes-Benz GLK U.S. pricing announced A Day At The Los Angeles Auto Show - Agent 00J Asks the Questions He Thinks You Want Answered In His Search For the Truth!Honda And Acura Top Redisdual Value Rankings The Most BRILLIANT Idea Yet On The Bailout! Should The Oil Companies Foot The Loans To Help The Auto Industry?Diamond-crusted Lamborghini key fob by Amosu Luxury 2008 LA Auto Show: Honda Insight Concept introduces Ecological Drive Assist System Has BMW Found The Diesel Solution With The 335d?Are We Being Fair? US Automaker Bailout Raises WTO Legality Concerns WEB RAGE FRIDAY RETURNS! Be Loud And Proud And Vent Your Gripes Now!House Speaker Takes The Bankruptcy Option Off The Table For The Detroit 3 GM Returns 2 or 7 Corporate Jets After Whipping Shed Moment In Washington Car Driver Names Its Top 10 But Is Your Favorite On The List?Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Wins 2009 Green Car of the Year Law Makers Approve Short Term Bailout With Conditions Jaguar XF Cabrio to debut at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show in January LA 2008 Live: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is here even though its delayed LA AUTO SHOW: More Goodies For The Eyes From The Show Floor In The City Of Angels Official: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel unveiled and priced at €47,250 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Trophy Truck unveiled in LA Last Ditch Deal With Automakers May Get Approval- But Can They Be Trusted?GMAC Files For Banking Status In Effort To Access $700 Billion Bailout Package