• Global sales figures rise by 3.7 percent in 2003 to 769,893 units
• Australia achieves another record result with 7% increase in 2003

Luxury car maker AUDI AG has announced its tenth successive year of record sales worldwide with 769,893 units.

In Australia, Audi achieved sales of 4,450 units, up 7% compared with 2002. In fact, the company set new records for vehicle sales in 20 markets including the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece and Australia.

Audi's export quota was around 69 percent (2002: 67 percent).

The company's market share in Western Europe stayed at the previous year's level of 3.8 percent. A total of 547,666 Audi models were handed over to their new owners in this market (down 0.4 percent). 237,786 Audi models were sold in Germany (down 2.4 percent). The company consequently succeeded in maintaining its market share at the same high level of 2002, at 7.4 percent. 37,467 vehicles were sold in France (down 8.2 percent). Audi increased its sales volume in Great Britain by 6.9 percent to 70,107 units, in Italy by 2.5 percent to 51,341 units and in Spain by 0.2 percent to 41,124 units.

A total of 86,421 Audi models were delivered to customers in the USA, the Ingolstadt manufacturer's biggest export market. This is equivalent to an increase of 0.8 percent, making it the fourth record sales year in succession.

Japanese sales rose 13% to over 13,000 units in 2003.

The contribution of the Asia Pacific region to Audi’s total, worldwide volume increased from 7.6% in 2002 to 11.2% in 2003.

“Audi exceeded growth expectations in Asia Pacific again this year,” said Joerg Hofmann, executive director, sales and marketing, Asia Pacific for Audi AG.

“Our success in 2003 gives us even more confidence as we enter 2004, which looks even brighter. We plan to further increase our Asian presence as we continue to grow operations, expand our dealer network, build our brand, enter new markets and release new models in the coming year,” Hofmann said.

In Australia and New Zealand, Audi sold 4,450 and 900 units, respectively. With several new car launches in these countries, including the newly-designed flagship A8, Audi received a positive sales response. Audi AG also signalled the increasing importance of the Australian market by acquiring 100% ownership of Audi Australia, effective 1 January 2004.

Taiwan sales topped 1,650 in 2003, representing 62% growth over last year. Audi’s market share in Taiwan also rose from 5.4% in 2002 to 7% in 2003.

Audi sold over 400 units in Singapore for the first time since 1997, which is a growth rate of 28.8% year on year. The Singapore sales growth can be attributed to strong sales of the A4, along with the successful introduction of more niche models such as the A4 Cabriolet, TT Tiptronic and A4 Avant.

“Consumers are demanding Audi cars in Asia Pacific because our technology, design and sporty history are unrivalled,” said Dominique Boesch, director, Audi Asia Pacific.

“The emotional connection that the Audi brand extends to drivers is steadily being recognised in Asia Pacific just as it already has been in Europe, where we are a household name and widely known as one of the world’s best car makers,” said Boesch.

This year Audi expanded its dealer network in many Asia Pacific markets and announced plans to renew their focus on the Malaysian market.

New Audi model launches planned for Asia Pacific in 2004 include the new A3 and the new A6, as well as the sporty models TT 3.2, S4 and RS6.