Record sales, revenue for Audi in first six months

In the first six months of this year, Audi recorded its best sales result in the company's history, with 389,970 cars sold worldwide (January-June, 2003: 387,751). This represents an increase of 0.6 per cent on the same period last year.

Revenue was up by 7.7 per cent to the record level of €12,328 million (€11,449 million). The operating result rose by 9.5 per cent to €586 million (€535 million). Profit before tax remained stable at the previous year's level at €502 million (€505 million). Net profit rose by 16.3 per cent to €336 million (€289 million).

"Despite very unstable markets and tough competition, we are sticking to our goal of a new sales record in the current year," Martin Winterkorn, chairman of Audi AG's management board.

"With the new A6 and the A3 Sportback, which is to be launched in September, we are in an outstanding position going into the second half of the year. We are also aiming to achieve a strong overall result."

Car sales by the subsidiary Lamborghini almost quadrupled to 922 (238) vehicles. A total of 401,632 (378,074) cars (up 6.2 per cent) and 780,354 (693,217) engines (up 12.6 per cent) were produced in the first six months.

Audi achieved historic sales records in eight of 20 markets in Western Europe. The biggest European export market was Great Britain with sales of 41,805 (38,299) vehicles (up 9.2 per cent) and Spain with 23,742 (21,213) vehicles (up 11.9 per cent).

Sales in Western Europe (excluding Germany) were up by 5.8 per cent to 170,991 (161,541) vehicles; 114,169 (121,033) vehicles were handed over to their new owners in Germany (down 5.7 per cent).

Audi boosted its sales quite considerably in Eastern Europe, by 17 per cent to 8,144 (6,977) vehicles. A total of 37,970 (41,089) Audi models were sold in the United States (down 7.6 per cent); 6,251 (5,777) cars were sold in Japan (up 8.2 per cent) and 29,028 (29,412) in China (down 1.3 per cent).