In almost every passing month this year, Audi’s sales worldwide have continued to flourish. Not only has the aggregated company surpassed numerous company global sales records, but here in Canada, Audi is leading almost every other vehicle manufacturer in sales growth. The company boasts a sales increase of over 33%, to roughly 12,700 vehicles delivered in the first ten months of 2010. The fact that Audi has done so well amid a global recession is doubly impressive.
Audi’s current momentum, fuelled by months of increasing demand and red-hot sales, is predicted to continue with the company’s determined goals of becoming a leader in both the luxury vehicle market and setting the standard in the premium electric vehicle segment. To assist in achieving these objectives, Audi has developed the e-tron division. The brand has recently invested $89million into a 150,000 square foot test center at its world headquarters to engineer electric powertrains and batteries. Audi’s current alternative powertrain plan includes: full hybrid versions of the flagship A8 sedan, as well as the Q5 SUV, which are both due in late 2011, a hybrid A6 that’s likely to arrive in 2012 and finally a range of high priced electric cars – starting with the battery powered e-tron version of the iconic R8 in 2012. Further, in 2013 VW Group plans to launch a fully electric version of its UP minicar, the E-Golf and E-Jetta.
By 2020, Audi wants to increase the efficiency of its internal combustion engines by an impressive 30% and plans for 5% of the brands line-up to be electric. Audi parent Volkswagen AG wants the group to be number one in hybrid and electric vehicles by the end of the decade, increasing its EV market share to 3% of its forecasted global sales of 10million units by 2018.
Alongside the development of the various alternative power-train options, Audi is continuously researching and extending the technological capabilities of its products. This past September, Audi’s autonomous TTS conquered ascending the demanding Pikes Peak mountain course – a significant, visible stride forward in bringing autonomous vehicle technologies to market. This expertise is already being employed in producing far safer vehicles and increasingly intelligent automotive computer systems.
Earlier this year, CEO Rupert Stadler, vowed nothing short of pushing Audi to the top of the premium vehicle segment by 2015. Thanks in large to its dominance in China, the company is currently neck and neck with Mercedes for second place after BMW. However with rapidly growing market shares in North America, and the upcoming releases of the A7 and A9 model lines, Audi’s future looks very bright.
For further information on Audi’s latest news and technologies or its products, visit audi.ca on the web or come into Crosby’s to speak with one of our knowledgeable Audi specialists.
