3,725 vehicles sold in first half - increase of 18.4 percent

Growth driven by Audi A1, A7 and A8 L

New Audi R8 GT and A8 L W12 to be introduced in second half of the year

Dubai, July 17, 2011 - Reporting the results for the first half of 2011 Audi Middle East announced sales of 3,725 vehicles across 12 Middle East markets - an increase of 18.4 percent over the same period last year. The United Arab Emirates remain the largest market for the German premium car manufacturer with 1,531 cars delivered to customers and a growth of 29.6 percent over 2010. The second largest market is Saudi Arabia with 681 units sold and an increase of 22.7 percent.

Growth for Audi Middle East was fuelled primarily through the launches of the new Audi A1, A7 as well as A8 L, which was launched at the end of 2010. The best selling models overall remain in the traditionally strong SUV and large saloon segments - the Audi Q7 (863 units), A8 L (613 units) and Q5 (588 units) followed closely by the Audi A4 and A6.

During the first half of this year the brand with the four rings saw the opening of a new dealership in Erbil, Iraq. In Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, the region's first showroom with the global standard Audi Terminal concept opened while in Dubai construction for the world's biggest Audi Terminal started. The sales force across Audi dealerships in the region increased by 11 percent.

"We are aiming for 25 percent volume growth for 2011. With new products, new showrooms, a strong focus on training and good service we deliver and exceed what our customers expect of the Audi brand," commented Carsten Bender, Sales Director of Audi Middle East.

In the second half of 2011 Audi is set to launch the Audi R8 GT, A8 L W12, A8 L 3.0T, as well as further engine variants in the region. The new executive saloon, Audi A6, which was launched in June, is expected to do well with Audi enthusiasts in the second half of the year. To also attract customers during the hot summer months, Audi dealerships across the region will be running the annual Audi Extra summer promotion.

-Ends-

The Audi Group sold around 1,092,400 cars of the Audi brand in 2010. The Company posted revenue of €29.8 billion and an operating profit of €1.6 billion in 2009. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Győr (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). Aurangabad in India saw the start of CKD production of the Audi A6 at the end of 2007, of the Audi A4 in early October 2008 and of the Audi Q5 in July 2010. Production of the new Audi A1 has been running at the Brussels plant since May 2010. The Company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 60,000 people worldwide, including around 46,600 in Germany. Between 2011 and 2015 the brand with the four rings is planning to invest around €11.6 billion, mainly in new products, in order to sustain the Company's technological lead embodied in its "Vorsprung durch Technik" slogan. By 2015, Audi plans to increase the number of models in its portfolio to 42.

Audi has long been fulfilling its social responsibility on many levels - with the aim of making the future worth living for generations to come. The basis for Audi's lasting success is therefore formed by environmental protection, the conservation of resources, international competitiveness and a forwardlooking human resources policy. One example of AUDI AG's commitment to environmental issues is the newly established Audi Environmental Foundation.

AUDI AG's commitment to the region was confirmed through the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005: Audi Middle East. The current Middle East model range comprises the A1, A3 Sportback and A4, the A5, S5 and RS 5, the A5 Sportback and A5 Cabriolet, the A6, TT Coupe/Roadster and TT RS Coupe, the A7, A8 L, Q5 and Q7, the R8, R8 V10, the R8 Spyder V10 and R8 GT.

Audi Middle East Communications
Karin Haferkorn
Tel.: +971 (0) 4 2045 888
Email: karin.haferkorn@audi.avme.ae

Grayling Momentum
Rami Joudi
Tel.: +971 50 759 0897
Email: extern.rami.joudi@audi.avme.ae

© Press Release 2011