With more than 591,000 cars delivered in the first four months of this year, the premium brand wants to surpass its record unit sales of 1.74 million automobiles in 2014.
22 May 2015 | 3577 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
The Audi Group plans to set new records in 2015. With more than 591,000 cars delivered in the first four months of this year, the premium brand wants to surpass its record unit sales of 1.74 million automobiles in 2014. This progress will be assisted by many new and advanced ...
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The Audi Group plans to set new records in 2015. With more than 591,000 cars delivered in the first four months of this year, the premium brand wants to surpass its record unit sales of 1.74 million automobiles in 2014. This progress will be assisted by many new and advanced Audi models. In addition to the new Audi Q7, for example, the new Audi A4 will be launched in the second half of 2015.
In order to attract new customers to the Audi brand, the company plans to systematically expand its model range in the coming years. By 2020, It plans to add 8 new offerings to its current portfolio of 52 different models, including three additional members of the Q family. The Audi Q1, the Audi Q8 and a sporty SUV with electric drive in the upper-mid segment will play key roles in Audi Group’s growth strategy. With a record investment program of €24 billion until 2019, the company is creating the basis to develop further models and innovative technologies and to expand its international production network. At the same time, the premium manufacturer is expanding its workforce. Worldwide, approximately 6,000 new employees are to be taken on board in 2015, 4,000 of them in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.
At the 126th Annual General Meeting of Audi AG in Neckarsulm today, the management board explained the results of the 2014 financial year and informed the shareholders about the company’s current development. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler stated his goal for 2015: “We intend to continue growing this year – faster than the world market and in all regions. Our brand aims to set new records.”
Axel Strotbek, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Finance and Organization, stated: “Despite a record level of investment, we are maintaining our ambitious financial targets and plan to achieve an operating return on sales within the strategic target corridor of 8 to 10 percent also this year.” The German sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm will account for more than half of the planned investment.
After the best first quarter in the company’s history, Audi increased its unit sales also in April. Demand increased compared with the prior-year month in all regions of the world. Business developed positively for the Audi brand above all on the American continent. Worldwide unit sales from January through April rose by 5.2 percent to more than 591,000 automobiles (Jan.-Apr. 2014: 561,000).
Audi’s key financial metrics remained at a high level in the first quarter of 2015: For the period of January through March, the Ingolstadt-based premium manufacturer posted revenue of €14,651 million (Q1 2014: €12,951 million) and operating profit of €1,422 million (Q1 2014: €1,314 million). The operating return on sales amounted to 9.7 percent (Q1 2014: 10.1 percent).
Audi expects demand for its models to remain high worldwide. The Ingolstadt-based premium manufacturer started delivering the new Audi TT Roadster to customers since late March '15. The new RS 3 Sportback and the new Audi R8 are now also being shipped to dealerships. These models are expected to give Audi further impetus in the next stage of its model initiative. In the second half of this year, the company will present the new Audi A4 – the next generation of its best-selling model.