17.10.2001 – 10:00

Audi AG

Audi still enjoying record-breaking success

Munich (ots)

• Cross-reference: photo was sent via satellite and is available at: http://www.presseportal.de/galerie.htx?type=obs
• Best figures for the first nine months * Record market shares in Germany and Western Europe * Growth defies general trend * Ideal basis for continued success in the year 2002

"Audi has recorded the best nine-month figures for vehicle sales,
sales revenues and profit in its history and is increasingly defying
the general trend," announced Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman of
the Board of Management of AUDI AG, today in Munich. With an expected
7.2 percent, the company has achieved what is to date its highest
market share in Germany in the period January to September (previous
year: 6.7 percent). With an estimated 2.4 percent, Audi has also
recorded its highest share of the Western European market (excluding
Germany) in company history (previous year: 2.2 percent).

According to Paefgen, Audi is now heading for its sixth record
year in succession. A temporary slowdown in the rate of growth, due
among other things to recent events in the USA, is however
conceivable. But as Paefgen explained: "We are still expecting to
sell more than 700,000 vehicles to Audi customers worldwide in the
whole of 2001, to boost sales revenues by more than 10 percent
compared with the previous year and to post a further increase in
earnings."

Worldwide vehicle sales by the Audi Group (including Autogerma)
were up to a total of more than 756,600 cars by the end of September
(January to September 2000: 696,228). This is an increase of 8.7
percent on the same period last year. A total of 545,300 (492,540)
Audi models were sold. This is equivalent to an increase of 10.7
percent. Car sales by the subsidiary Lamborghini rose by 5.8 percent
to 220 units. A total of around 552,300 (477,153) cars (up 15.7
percent) and around 927,900 (892,576) engines (up 4.0 percent) were
produced in the first nine months.

More than 187,800 (176,868) Audi models were handed over to
customers in Germany (up 6.2 percent) and more than 230,800 (207,532,
up 11.2 percent) in Europe (excluding Germany). The biggest European
export market for Audi is Great Britain with 43,500 vehicles (up 25.3
percent).

In the USA, the largest foreign market for AUDI AG, sales were up
by 5.6 percent to just under 63,700 (60,276) cars. 5,600 (5,315) cars
were sold in Japan, 5.3 percent more than between January and
September 2000.

Sales in other markets rose in the first nine months from 42,549
units to around 57,400 (up 34.8 percent). Once again China
contributed the most to this figure, with sales of more than 24,400
vehicles (up 84.9 percent).

Sales revenues in the Audi Group (including Autogerma) were up by
the end of September by 14.5 percent to more than 16.6 (14.534)
billion euros.

Capital investments amounted to 958 (1,139) million euros (down
15.9 percent) and consequently remain at a high level. Two thirds of
this amount were invested in the development of new products.

A total of 1,265 new jobs were created in the Audi Group in the
last twelve months (as at 30 September), 760 of which are in Germany.
The Audi Group employed a total workforce of 51,282 (50,017) men and
women as at 30 September (up 2.5 percent).

"The full extent of the effects of the appalling terror attacks in
the USA on the world economy is not yet apparent," commented Chairman
Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen. "The effects on car sales may actually be
less severe than originally feared." Dr. Paefgen continued: "Thanks
to its well-positioned product range, among other things, Audi has
the ideal basis for continuing its success series next year. The new
Audi A4 in particular, the Avant version of which was launched in
September, promises a further increase in growth. In addition to
this, the new Audi A4 Cabriolet is to go on sale in spring 2002."

Note to editorial staff:

- A photo of production is available through "obs" (dpa). 
   - This press text, the Board of Management's speech and further
     photos can be called up at http://www.audi-press.com; 
     call ++49 (0)841 89 36189 for password.
   - Further information about AUDI AG at http://www.audi.de

Communication: Corporate and Finance
Joachim Cordshagen, Tel. ++49 (0)841 89-36340 or ++49 (0)172 9104468
e-mail:  joachim.cordshagen@audi.de
Jürgen De Graeve, Tel. ++49 (0)841 89-34084 or ++49 (0)172 9142908
e-mail:  juergen.degraeve@audi.de

Original-Content von: Audi AG, übermittelt durch news aktuell