Audi Oct sales up 0.4%, driven by new Q5

Audi AG said Monday that sales were up 0.4% at 82,750 cars in October, fueled by the new Q5 small sports-utility-vehicle and soaring demand in China.

The premium brand of Volkswagen AG said it expects car sales to come in at 925,000 cars, detailing previous executive comments that the initial annual sales target of 900,000 vehicles will be surpassed this year.

"Our sales figures worldwide have developed much better than expected," Audi sales chief Peter Schwarzenbauer said, adding that "the Audi Q5 is emerging as one of our most successful models. And in particular the A5 and A6 model lines are selling well."