May 2014: Audi of America

[William Maley]

Jun 3, 2014 , HERNDON, Va.

Audi achieves best May U.S. sales in company history

• May 2014 also stands as the 41st consecutive U.S. sales record for Audi and the second-best result for any month
• Audi year-to-date sales in the U.S. up 11.4%
• Audi Certified pre-owned sales set all-time monthly record

HERNDON, Va., June 3, 2014 – Audi reported May 2014 sales of 16,601 vehicles, which stands as the brand’s second-best month ever and its 41st consecutive month of record sales. May only trailed the all-time record monthly sales mark set in December 2013 of 17,013 vehicles sold. Audi sales year-to-date increased 11.4%% to 67,482 vehicles sold.

“Within a few weeks of its launch, the all-new A3 sedan has established itself as a core contributor to the Audi U.S. success story,” said Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. “Sales strength was seen throughout our lineup with our most exclusive models continuing to represent one-third of overall Audi demand.”

Since its introduction earlier this spring, the A3 premium sedan has become one of the three most popular models in the Audi lineup, with May U.S. sales of 2,261 cars. Combined sales of the range-topping A6, A7, A8 and Q7 models represented 46% of the overall Audi year-to-date sales gain to make up 33.4% of all Audi U.S. sales.

For the month, luxury sedan sales remained strong as the Audi A6 increased 21.7% to 2,151 vehicles sold for the month, while year-to-date demand for the A6 increased 20.8% to 9,719 vehicles sold. Sales of the Audi A7 rose 22.8% in May to 861 vehicles sold, while demand for the A7 increased 10.3% to 3,783 vehicles sold YTD.

May results were bolstered by sales of Audi luxury SUVs, with the Audi Q5 crossover posting a 13.5% gain in May with 3,836 units delivered for the month. Sales of the Audi Q7 increased 14.7% to 1,455 vehicles sold for the month. Year-to-date sales for the Audi Q5 increased 7.3% while YTD sales for the Audi Q7 increased 30.9%.

May 2014 marked a new all-time best month for Audi Certified pre-owned vehicles sales with an increase of 19.8% to a total of 4,162 CPO vehicles sold in May, and a year-to-date increase of 15.2%.

Highlights:

• Sales mix for Audi S performance variants finished the month at 16.9% for the S4 sedan; 36.7% for the S5/ RS 5; 5.8% for the S6; 28.8% for the S7 / RS 7; 12.0% for the S8; 22.8% for the TTS and TTS Roadster, and 8.6% for the SQ5 crossover.Sales of Audi A6 increased to 21.7% compared to May 2013; YTD sales grew 20.8% compared to previous period.
• Sales of Audi A7 increased 22.8% compared to May 2013; YTD sales grew 10.3% compared to previous period.
• Sales of the Audi Q5 increased 13.5% compared to May 2013; YTD sales grew 7.3% compared to previous period.
• Sales of the Audi Q7 increased 14.7% compared to May 2013; YTD sales grew 30.9% compared to previous period.
• May sales mix for Audi TDI models: Audi A6 TDI at 17.3% on 373 vehicles sold; Audi A7 TDI at 11.5% on 99 vehicles; A8 TDI at 18.1% on 78 vehicles; Audi Q5 TDI at 16.4% on 629 vehicles, and for the Audi Q7 TDI at 28.0% on 408 vehicles; with an overall mix of 18.2% on 1,587 total TDI sales for May.
• Audi Certified pre-owned sales increased 19.8% to 4,162 vehicles in May; YTD CPO sales rose 15.2% to 18,178 vehicles sold.
• The all-new 2015 Audi A3 sedan models officially went on sale this spring, with 5,283 vehicles sold since launch.
• Audi holds the longest running monthly record sales streak in the premium car market according to a completive sales report from MotorIntelligence.com.

[Drew Dowdell]

Pretty good month for Audi all around. I wasn't that impressed with the A3 when I drove it... but I can see it appealing to badge snobs who want something Jetta sized.

[balthazar]

Looks like the vast bulk of car sales is repackaged VW-engined jobs.

[G. David Felt]

At times I see an Audio and go wow nice looking but most times just to bland. I figure it must be the performance line of cars that catches my attention as the rest of the line is a sleeper. Surprised they sold this many but as Drew points out, badge snobs.

[A Horse With No Name]

A3 is a little underwhelming.

[smk4565]

These guys out sold Cadillac with a few VW badge job SUVs and 3 sedans that look the same and a funky looking A6 hatchback. The S-class is killing the A8, I am surprised people even still buy an A8, they should sell about 200 a month like the Phaeton did.

[Drew Dowdell]

It's easy to sell a lot when you keep one foot in the mass market while wearing a luxury badge.... Mercedes is doing the same thing with the CLA...... and those people that sell rip-off Louis Vitton bags do pretty well too.

Cadillac doesn't sell an A3 or CLA competitor and if they did, you'd rip them to shreds for selling a FWD car.

Anyone who buys a CLA or A3 is proving they are simply badge snobs with no sense.... there are multiple, substantially better cars with better value for that money. Regal, Verano, ATS, CC... even the A4 (only $4k more than A3) and C-Class ($5k more than CLA before rebates) are substantially better values. For $30,000, I can drive away from the Buick dealer in a functionally equivalent Turbo Verano that has every single option box checked while I'd drive away from the MB dealer (slower, due to the power deficiency) in a CLA with vinyl seats, no navi, no sunroof, no heated seats or steering wheel, and still need to spend an extra $599 for a stupid proprietary USB cable to hook up my iPhone. The same goes for the A3.

Both of the entry level German sedans.... *cough*... sorry.. 4-door coupes.... are for chumps with no sense.

[A Horse With No Name]

It is hard to beat the Americans in a lot of ways. Near luxury sedans, coupes, and pickups being the biggest three.

Think of the difference in content and quality between a Genesis and a comparable Mustang or Camaro for instance.

Audi is saving VW's bacon though....as they ain't selling VW's.

[smk4565]

The CLA is one of the worst selling Mercedes, unless you count cars over $100k, so it isn't like the CLA props up Mercedes sales, the E-class was their #1 seller the past 2 months. The A3 will boost Audi sales because younger buyers like that small, sporty look and they need to trade in the Jetta or trade that WRX or Mitsubishi Lancer from their 20s that they have outgrown.

Marketing, badges and nameplates can sell cars though, look at the Toyota Corolla, possibly the worst car in the class and it outsells everyone else. The Audi badge is becoming a hot thing, Mercedes is a bit too old guard or stuffy for some people, and that is why the CLA was put on sale to appeal to a younger buyer that never bought a luxury car before. Personally I don't care much for the CLA, I would advise people to either go up to the C-class or just get a 2 year old used Mercedes for the price of a CLA, it's a Mercedes, it will last a while.

[Drew Dowdell]

Or just get a new Regal.

[A Horse With No Name]

Looks like the vast bulk of car sales is repackaged VW-engined jobs.

You would be correct, sir.

Or just get a new Regal.

Or Cadillac...

[smk4565]

Or just get a new Regal.

It still says Buick on the front, plus the A3 is way smaller than a Regal, hard to compare those two.

[A Horse With No Name]

Buick is the original premium brand, and should be sold as such.

[Drew Dowdell]

Or just get a new Regal.

It still says Buick on the front, plus the A3 is way smaller than a Regal, hard to compare those two.

Then a verano.

[A Horse With No Name]

Verano still outsold a3....