World's first High Definition Audi configurator for customization
Tailor-made solutions with thousands of possible combinations
Dubai - Audi reports the Middle East to be the region with the worldwide highest turnover of customization items per car, ahead of China by almost double, and Germany and the UK by almost 4 times. Following this Audi has developed the world's first full High Definition "Audi exclusive" configurator for customization, which focuses especially on the interior and exterior design of the car.
With literally thousands of exterior and interior colors, leathers, carbon, metal, wood and stitching combinations possible, unique wishes can to be satisfied by providing tailor-made solutions. Almost any part of the car can be changed to the customer's taste, from the headlining to the door panels, the dashboard, steering wheel, alloy wheels and so on. To personalize the car even further customers can opt for engraving, monograms and even diamond trims on the interior, making a series vehicle into one-of-a-kind.
Armin Weber, Marketing Manager Audi exclusive at Audi Middle East, explains "Customers can come to the showroom and try out different combinations on the large screens. It's very easy and fun to do, almost like a computer game."
Rather than changing an existing car, these vehicles are made to order and largely handcrafted ensuring Audi quality on every single part. The Audi factory in Neckarsulm/Germany customizes approximately 25 vehicles a day. After internal quality checks and function tests, vehicles return to the regular production line for the final inspection.
The Audi exclusive configurator will be available in all Audi showrooms with Audi exclusive customization studios across the region, first for the Audi R8 and soon for all Audi models. The development of the configurator took approximately one year and nine months.
-Ends-
AUDI AG sold a total of 1,003,469 cars in 2008 and thus achieved its 13th consecutive record year. The Company posted new record figures with revenue of €34.2 billion and profit before tax of €3.2 billion. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). Aurangabad in India saw the start of CKD 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 worldwide. AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 58,000 people worldwide, including 46,500 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests around €2 billion each year in order to sustain the company's technological lead embodied in its "Vorsprung durch Technik" slogan. Audi plans to significantly increase the number of models in its portfolio by 2015 to 42. The Audi brand celebrates its 100th birthday in 2009. The company was founded by August Horch in Zwickau on July 16, 1909; he named it Audi after the Latin translation of his surname ("hark!").
AUDI AG's commitment to the region was confirmed through the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005: Audi Middle East. Sales in the Middle East rose by 21.2 percent to 7,732 cars in 2008 (2007: 6,380). The current Middle East model range comprises the A3 Sportback and A4, the A5, A6, S6 and RS 6, the TT Coupe and Roadster, the A8, S8, the Q5, Q7 and the R8.
© Press Release 2009
