Audi China Q1 sales up 77% to 51,449 vehicles

Shanghai, April 8 (Gasgoo.com) Volkswagen's premium car division Audi AG sold a total of 51,449 vehicles in China's mainland and Hong Kong in the first three months, up 77% from a year earlier, achieving its best quarterly sales ever in the Chinese market, media reported today. March sales reached 19,543 units.

The locally built Audi cars achieved a Q1 growth of 70% overall. The Audi A4L, the first long-wheelbase version of a midsize sedan in China, sold 13,787 units, up 213%. The A6, also built at Changchun in a long-wheelbase version, sold 28,984 units, up 35%. The Audi Q5, built locally since December 2009, sold 1,171 units.

Sales of imported Audi cars grew by 145% to 6,898 cars. The figures were particularly positive for the Audi Q7, selling 2,294 units (up 57%), and the A5 Coupé, whose deliveries rose by 87% to 339 cars, an Audi statement said yesterday.

"This result means we have further extended our market lead in China's premium segment," said Audi sales and marketing chief Peter Schwarzenbauer. "Our product strategy for China has been confirmed as spot on for both locally built and imported vehicles."

Present in the China market since 1988, Audi produces the Audi A4L, Audi A6L and Audi Q5 in northeastern city of Changchun together with FAW Group. Audi sold 158,941 cars in China in 2009 and aims to lead China's luxury car market again this year.