Audi sales rise 16% in January on robust China, Europe growth
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FRANKFURT -- Global sales of Audi vehicles rose 16.3 percent to 111,750 in January, driven by strong growth in China and Europe.
Robust demand for the A4 and Q5 midsize models helped drive growth across Audi's global markets, including Europe, where sales rose nearly 9 percent last month.
In a statement, Luca de Meo, Audi's sales chief, said: "Although the general economic situation in certain European countries remains challenging, we've managed to achieve a very successful start to the year in all regions of the world."
De Meo forecast continued growth in 2013, boosted by SUV sales and demand for Audi's new A3 compact lineup.
Deliveries in China, the carmaker's No. 1 market, grew 38.5 percent to 37,678 last month.
In Europe, sales in Germany rose 11.8 percent to 14,611, while volumes in the UK rose 15.3 percent to 8,565, making the market the fourth biggest for Audi in January. In France, sales remained flat at 4,011, while in the austerity-hit markets of Italy and Spain, Audi managed to grow sales 3.9 percent to 3,767 and 8.6 percent to 2,754 respectively.
Overall in the European market, sales rose 8.6 percent to 49,900.
Audi sales in the United States, the carmaker's third-biggest single market, continued to grow in January, rising 7.5 percent to 10,056.
On Tuesday, rival carmaker Mercedes-Benz reported that brand sales rose 9.2 percent in January to 94,895 vehicles. BMW has yet to release sales figures for the month.
Reuters contributed to this report
You can reach David Jolley at djolley@crain.com.
