Abu Dhabi: Growing interest in the popularity of the Audi brand has boosted new car sales for Audi Abu Dhabi — one of the dealerships in the motor division of Ali & Sons — during the first quarter of 2010 by more than 30 per cent compared to the same period last year, the company announced yesterday.
"Audi Abu Dhabi sales figures rose by 31.7 per cent compared to January through March 2009. This translates to 237 units out of a total 1,579 cars sold in the Middle East," according to Andrew Hellyar, brand manager of Audi Abu Dhabi.
Hellyar added that Audi Abu Dhabi's first quarter figures aided Audi to record its strongest first quarter ever, boosting global sales for the first three months of this year to about 264,100.
Earlier this month Audi, based in Ingolstadt, Germany, announced it had sold 110,400 worldwide in March alone, making it the brand's best monthly result of all time.
"In line with Audi AG, Audi Abu Dhabi expects the growth curve to rise in the second quarter. However, we anticipate more enhanced growth in market share when we receive the new Audi A8 towards the end of the year. We are positive that delivery of this model will stimulate our growth in the sedan class in the D-segment of the market," said Hellyar.
The main driver of sales for Audi Abu Dhabi was the remastered new generation Audi Q7, which continued to remain a sought-after and highly respected SUV in the UAE's capital city. It was followed closely by the A6 in the sedan category. Two other popular models that sustained a hold on the attention of new car buyers were the Audi A4, and the Audi Q5.
Audi Group sold around 950,000 cars in 2009 worldwide. The company posted revenue of 29.8 billion euros (Dh145.6 billion) and an operating profit of 1.6 billion euros. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium).
Aurangabad in India saw production of the Audi A6 at the end of 2007 and of the Audi A4 in early October 2008. The company is active in more than 100 markets.
