Dubai, July 08, 2012 – Audi today announced it sold more vehicles in the first half of 2012 than in any first half since entering the Middle East market with a wholly owned subsidiary in 2005. A total of 4,274 vehicles were delivered to customers in the region in the first six months of 2012 – an increase of 15 percent over the same period in 2011. Sales for the month of June also achieved an all-time high with an increase of 18 percent over 2011 (2012: 691; 2011: 585).
Sales in all Gulf markets grew in double digits. The strongest market for Audi remains the UAE with a total of 1,738 vehicles delivered to customers in the first half of 2012, registering a positive growth of 14 percent. The UAE is followed by Saudi Arabia with 915 units and a plus of 34 percent and Kuwait with 571 vehicles sold and 24 percent growth.
Audi executives expressed confidence that sales for all of 2012 will set a new annual record, topping the 7,865 sales mark set last year. “We have welcomed the new Audi A4 PI, A5 PI and Audi Q3 in the first half. With the S models still to come we are expecting another strong result for 2012,” said Jeff Mannering, Managing Director, Audi Middle East. “Our sales are underpinned by a strong focus on dealer network development as well sales and after sales service. Audi standards apply to the vehicle as well as to the entire ownership experience.”
Customers favored the large sedan models. Year-to-date sales of the new Audi A6 ranked the highest with 908 vehicles sold and an increase of 81 percent. Audi’s second strongest selling model was the Audi A8 L with 877 units sold in the first six months of 2012 (plus 43 percent). Audi’s luxury SUV performance was led by the Audi Q7 with 695 units sold in the first half, followed by the Audi Q5 with 610 units. Market availability for both models continues to be limited as demand exceeds production allocation. Already 69 units of the newly launched Audi Q3 compact SUV have been sold across the region with sales volumes picking up further as shipments arrive to the markets.