justinjsw

Audi Reports November Sales Results


AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi of America, Inc. sales for the month of November were 6,879 compared to 7,107 in November 2003. Audi year-to-date sales are 70,267 vs. 77,337.
In its first month on the market, the new A6 achieved 1,542 sales. When combined with sales of remaining 2004 A6s, Audi achieved a total of 1,931 A6 sales -- a 31.4% increase over the same month last year (1,470).

Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) results were 2,129, a 36.6 percent increase over November 2003. Year-to-date CPO sales results are 22,739 units, a 20.6 percent increase from 2003 (18,857).


Audi Sales chart

biker

It seems like Audi's fortunes are going down the drain with VW.

I always thought the new RL should be able to beat the new A6 in sales - very comperable cars.

DEI99662

I wonder how these numbers will change next year after the redesign of the A4.

biker

If the new A6 is any indication, it won't help much - it's more of a reskin anyway - not a real redesign.

DEI99662

Does the A3 come out late in 2005 as a 2006 model? I forget.

biker

Probably be an 06.

sipark

Interior is pretty much staying put.. But, the new engines do sound promising, though.

Belzebutt

Not to mention it arguably doesn't look any better than the old one. The outgoing A4 had a very clean and sleek design, and this new change is just a change, IMO it doesn't look different enough to look new or fresh, unlike the 2006 BMW.

phile

Me too, yet Audi predicts annual sales of 23,000, while Acura predicts 20,000 for the RL.

dom

http://www.leftlanenews.com/audi-exec-bmw-arrogant.html

And in a related story, Honda loves Audi.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

That whole thing is absoutely Ridiculous on both BMW and Audi.

First of all Audi calling BMW arrogant is stupid because it was just going to start something.

However BMW saying Lexus and MB were the only real threats was VERY stupid. Whether they like it or not people cross shop BMWs with Audis. In my opinion the A6 is better then the 5 series or E class. However I do admit the 3 series is better then the A4. Also while Acura might not compete with them much with the TL or TSX look at the MDX and RDX. Both Acura and BMW redsigned there SUVS yet Acura sold 4000 MDXs last month and BMW sold 2000 X5s. And the RDX and X3 sell about the same each month. So while Lexus and MB are there main competition its not the ONLY thing thats competition.

In my opinion thats just stupidity on both companys.

Crazy Bimmer

Yet.... Audi went to a RWD-biased AWD system. Go figure.

gilboman

audi should just shut up and realize BMW is right or atleast try to name one premium car that is not RWD.

that's like an automaker with no a/c in their lineup saying a/c has nothing to do with luxury

Mokos23

charliemike

Both these guys need a timeout and a Pampers change.

supraken

iTrader: (1)

bleh...

although I do agree somewhat that Audi is not yet a true competitor to BMW/MB. Their offerings are pretty competitive, and Audi is pretty competitive with BMW in the US.

However, you just have to look at it from a global perspective, not just in the North America.

If you ask the average person in the US, they might rank BMW on top, followed by Audi, and then MB... in the rest of the world, the order might be something like MB, BMW, Audi... just for an example

F23A4

BMW is arrogant...but then again, their popularity and sales success has earned that right. Audi just needs to shut up and find a way to compete 'cause talk is cheap.

robxc80

audi's image was severely tarnished in the 80's due to quality contol issues which had long lasting effects on their brand and their sales...

lately, youre seeing a resurgence in their quality with many of their cars being recommended by consumer groups for quality. In addition, they have expanded their offering and have done a great job with features and styling. (A5/S5 out soon, new A6, etc)

Their production costs are also benefitting since they are sharing platforms and compononents with their VW cousins. This is resulting in better sales figures and increased customer perception and satisfaction from their owners. They have rebounded and they will continue to update and expand their product offering as their profitability increases.

it is stupid of bmw to start this whole dispute by making the claim that they are not competitive. Its only a matter of time for audi to continually increase their image and sales and to write them off as a lowly brand will only hurt them in the long run. I think it was simple mud-slinging on the part of bmw to put audi down. I think that they are really looking at audi as a threat when it really comes down to it.

audi just reacted in anger and the exec really should of had some self-control.

personally, i too believe the A6 blows away the competition, the RS4 is a damn fine competitor to the M3 (more so than the AMG C class), and the A5 looks like it will be a very promising car which will allow them to showcase a new platform and introduce LED daytime lamps (Very hot!!!)

fdl

I have to agree, that while there are lots of people who will cross shop audis and BMW's , Lexus and MB are really their main competitors.

Black Tire

both Audi and BMW should shut they're mouths. Toyota/Lexus/M-B are way ahead of them in sales.

dom

Are the A8 and A6 not premium cars in your opinion?

dom

Ummm, Lexus may outsell BMW but BMW outsells MB.

YTD - 119,359 to 98,651

Audi trails @ 37,922 with Lexus leading @ 131,333.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...05/050548.html

F23A4

While I agree that the RS4 is a fine competitor to the M3 (E46 and E92), the A6 definitely does not blow away the competition which included the E60, Infiniti M and Lexus GS.

Do not get me wrong, I have driven the A6 3.2L and find it to be a terrific car. But I would be hard pressed to get one over the 530i, M35 or GS350.

robxc80

the styling alone does it for me...the 5 serious looks just wrong IMO...the E class is nice...the M is an Infinity (As in cheap materials and sub-par workmanship)....

TheAcAvenger

I think Audi's right. I'd pick an A8 over a 7 anyday of the week. I like the 5 over the A6, but I actually prefer the S6 to the M5. And i'd pick the rs4 over anything in bmw's lineup. To be honest, I love my new 335i, but I cant stand being a "bmw owner" and the stigma that goes along with it.

phile

+1

Beltfed

What stigma is that? Where do you live that driving a 335 is such a big deal?

BMWs in the tri-state for example, are like taxi cabs.

Nobody gives a shit for the most part. Few people here and might compliment you on the car.

To me, the only stigma that I notice is those on the internet who talk trash about and generalize BMW owners...as being spoiled, d-bags, a-holes, etc.

Python2121

You are so right. My dad's BMW is a mint '96 cherry red 328is, it ALWAYS gets everyones attention even though its 11 years old, way too flashy (but I love it ). Their other BMW is never noticed, blends in with the crowd of nice cars.

dom

Their a dime a dozen up here as well.

But, just this afternoon I was speaking with the boss about what he intends to replace his S60 with next month and he went through the usual, IS, G, TL and 9-3. When I asked if he looked at the new 3 series, first thing that came out of his mouth was stigma.

So IMO right or wrong the stigma is there. He knows nothing about cars and isn't a e-trash talker.

Would I let it stop me from buying a car? no.

F23A4

I am with Beltfed on this one. BMWs truly are a dime a dozen in the NYC/NJ/Conn area and most folks at the brand due to its relative ubiquity.

Of the 'mainstream' upmarket brands, it has been my observation that there is more of a stigma attached to Lexus owners.

dom

The joke goes "Whats the difference between a Cactus and a BMW" not a Lexus.

Then again the 2 VP's at the office who recently bought 250's may support your argument.

mrdeeno

looks like someone hasn't driven an infiniti lately.

poohlikeshunny

i dunno...i know bms is higher on the cachet sale, but I'd pick an Audi over a beemer anyday (may have to do with the fact that my first 325 vert was a fuckin death trap...but Audis still look better)

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Look at Jaguar, they are doing HORRIBLE. I guess nobody buys from them anymore. I can see why Ford wants to sell them off I would too.

BraveDemon

Ze Germans need to stop hating each other. Audi and BMW are both fine automakers. Besides.. why bicker over second place behind Lexus? Isn't the point to be #1?

And as for Premium cars being offered in RWD... well yeah. I can't really argue against that point. I mean AWD is fine... as long as it's RWD biased. I doubt any car enthusiast is gonna pay $40k + for a FWD luxury car.

And for the guy who said Infiniti is cheap/subpar... you really need to test drive an Inifiniti. I've test driven a Lexus IS350, Infiniti G35, and an Audi A4 3.2 Quattro in the past 4 months and I've realized that the competition in the entry level luxury division ($30-40k) is really close in terms of quality.

Crazy Bimmer

"BMW owners only care for the badge" = I care what others think

"I wont buy a BMW for the stigma is comes with" = I care what others think

Sheesh, people confuse me.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

A car doesn't have to have RWD to be premium. Hell even the RL can be considered a premium car and it has AWD.

I think BMW's take on this is the fact that Audi still offers FWD models in the A3 and A4 line. When instead it should be offereing RWD and AWD models. BMW offers AWD models as well. Does that make those particular versions less of a premium than their BMW RWD counterparts?

It's still very stupid of both parties. But I think it was stupid of BMW to not acknowledge Audi as a competitor. If anything that'll just piss off the execs and make them do something that BMW will regret later IMO for not considering them a competitive threat.

phile

Like what? Build an A4 that'll be better than the 3-Series?

Fossil_TL

Isn't the A4 already better than 3 series?
A4 actually looks nice, and 3 is kinda like meh to me.
Also BMW doesn't even have an answer for the RS series Audis yet.

BraveDemon

In terms of looks? Possibly. That's more of a personal choice. I like the A4 aesthetically over the 3 series. But it might be because the 3 Series are a dime a dozen here in Orange County.

In terms of performance however, Audi's A4 is behind the BMW 3.

There have been quite a few comparos between the current generation A4 and the current generation 3 series with the Audi always trailing behind the Bmw.

The big problem is that the A4 needs a complete redesign of the chasis and a revised quattro to give RWD bias... which is already in the works with a recently spied test mule which had the front axles moved up about a foot and half forward.