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ReprintsAudi allroad quattro may return to N. America
April Wortham
Automotive News Europe
March 4, 2009 06:01 CET
GENEVA -- Audi is considering a North American comeback for its allroad quattro, this time as the new A4-based model was unveiled at the Geneva auto show. Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi AG board member for sales and marketing, said shifts in consumer attitudes toward SUVs have prompted the company to revisit the market potential for the all-wheel-drive wagon. Discussions with Audi of America are under way, he told Automotive News. Audi sold an A6 version of the wagon, known as the allroad quattro, in North America from 2000 to 2005. But after a strong start of nearly 6,000 units, U.S. sales of the allroad fell to just 2,429 in its final year. That wasn't enough to justify North American imports of the second-generation vehicle, which sells today in Europe as the A6 allroad quattro. Schwarzenbauer said the time may be right for the allroad in North America. "When we launched the A6 allroad the first time, it was still the high time of big SUVs," he said. "And I think it was hard for a new concept to compete against the SUVs. "This might have changed in the last 12 months, so we probably have to reconsider what we do on the allroad side, whether it is A4 or A6." The A4 allroad quattro that debuted today will go on sale in Europe in early summer at a base price of 37,100 euros, or $46,713 at current exchange rates |
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