KOLKATA, June 2: In spite of the current downtrend in automobile sector, German luxury car manufacturer ‘Audi’ has sold 450 cars in India during May this year to record ten per cent growth in sales from the corresponding period of last year.
The brand with four rings, however, grew by 37 per cent during January to May of 2012, delivering 3281 vehicles as compared to 2394 vehicles delivered during the same period last year, company sources here today informed.
Quoting Mr Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India, the sources said they hoped to continue the ‘strategic course of product expansion’ and would launch attractive vehicles in the domestic market for sustainable and profitable growth.
“Thanks to our bestsellers new Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi Q5 and Audi Q7 SUVs and ever growing dealer network, we moved into the number-two position among premium car makers in the first quarter,” Mr Perschke qouted to have said.
The launch of Audi Q3 this year would ensure that the company would maintain its position as the fastest growing luxury car brand in India, Mr Perschke said and announced his plan to further expand Audi’s dealership network in India.
Describing the country’s overall automobile market scenario as ‘challenging’, the Audi India head said the rising fuel prices, depreciating rupee, changing registration taxes in various states as well as reduction in retail loans have severely impacted the industry.
But he said with a slew of new product launches like Audi TT in March, new Audi A4 in May and Audi Q3 in June, they were confident of achieving the target of selling 8000 cars this year.
Mr Perschke said Audi India also planned to expand its dealership network to 25 from the current figure of 19 before the end of 2012.
Audi recently opened new showrooms in Coimbatore, Delhi, Nagpur and its second in Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal. Last year the luxury carmaker opened new showrooms in Delhi South, Chennai, Ludhiana, Surat and Indore.
The Audi model range in India includes new Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A7 Sportback, Audi A8L, Audi Q5, Audi Q7, Audi RS5 Coupé, Audi TT, the super sports car Audi R8 and Audi R8 Spyder. (UNI)
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