Dubai, January 10, 2012 - Audi today announced record Middle East sales of 7,865 vehicles sold in 2011, eclipsing 2010 by 26.8 percent. This makes Audi the fastest growing premium brand in the Middle East. With 40 percent of total Middle East sales (3,137 units) the UAE remains the largest market in the region for the German premium car manufacturer and continues to register strong growth. Sales increased by 42 percent (1,250 units) in Abu Dhabi and 39 percent in Dubai (1,887 units). The UAE is followed closely by KSA and Kuwait, where 1,522 (plus 35.7 percent) and 1,060 (plus 3.3 percent) vehicles were sold respectively. The newly opened Audi dealership in Iraq contributed to the result with 128 units.

2011 results were buoyed by strong performance in the C, D and SUV segments. The Audi Q7 SUV remained the brand's best selling model with sales of 1,588 units in 2011. Sales of the recently launched A8 L luxury sedan increased by 280.5 percent to 1,484 vehicles sold. Audi's Q5 compact SUV consolidated its position as segment leader with 1,218 units delivered to customers (plus 8.6 percent). The Audi A6 executive sedan grew by 9.0 percent to 1,127 units in 2011 following the introduction of new model in summer 2011.

"Another record year of sales reinforces the Audi position in the Middle East market, as consumers increasingly choose Audi over other luxury competitors," said Audi Middle East Managing Director Jeff Mannering. "In 2012, Audi will continue to capture a significant share of the premium market with new model introductions including the eagerly awaited Audi Q3 and S models, and continued investment from our dealer network."

In its efforts to delight customers, the brand with the four rings introduced several new model variants, including the new Audi A1 and A7, to its portfolio in 2011. Construction started on three new Audi showrooms in the UAE, while the new Audi showroom in Al Khobar, KSA, opened in May 2011.

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The Audi Group sold around 1,092,400 cars of the Audi brand in 2010. The Company posted revenue of €35.4 billion and an operating profit of €3.3 billion in 2010. In the first half of 2011, the Audi Group sold 652,970 vehicles bearing the four rings worldwide and achieved record figures in terms of revenue (€21.5 billion) and operating profit (€2.5 billion). 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 Audi Q3 has been built in Martorell (Spain) since June 2011. 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 more than €11 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. Under the heading of "Audi balanced mobility", the Company is directing its activities toward a major goal - comprehensive CO2-neutral mobility.  

AUDI AG's commitment to the region was confirmed through the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005. 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 as well as R8 GT and R8 GT Spyder.

© Press Release 2012