Audi Increases Market Share for December and 2008

Audi's market share increases in both December and total year sales

Audi A4 named "Car of the Year" by Detroit Free Press

Audi A5 and A6 finish year strong with increases over December 2007

Audi R8 and TT total year sales surpass 2007

HERNDON, Va., January 5, 2009: Audi today announced sales for the month of December totaling 7,712 units. Despite a challenging marketplace, Audi appears to have outpaced most brands and will record market share increases for December and all of 2008.

Audi's December sales were led by strong totals from both the Audi A5 and A6. The Audi A5 posted a 383.1% increase over last December with 657 units sold. The Audi A6 had a solid month with over 1,218 units sold, an increase of 1.2% over December 2007.

"Our goal this past year was to grow our market share and grow awareness of the brand," said Audi of America President, Johan de Nysschen. "We accomplished this with an aggressive product offensive that continues into 2009 and beyond."

De Nysschen noted that 2009 Audi launches will include two diesel offerings, several fuel-efficient powertrain combinations, performance vehicles, the all-new crossover Audi Q5, and the all-new A5 and S5 cabriolet models.

Even in the difficult market created during 2008, both the Audi R8 and TT surpassed their previous total year sales. The Audi R8 sold 900 units in 2008 compared to 240 in 2007. The Audi TT sales increased by 3% in sales from 2007, with 4,486 units sold in 2008.

Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales set a new record during 2008. Audi recorded 32,108 CPO sales, an increase of 18.6% over the previous year.

Also this week, the Detroit Free Press selected the Audi A4 as the Car of the Year, proclaiming that the A4 "stands head and shoulders above other new cars introduced this year and above any Audi sedan that preceded it." In honoring the Audi A4, the Detroit Free Press highlights the A4's "excellent fuel economy and performance" and notes that the "comfortable interior is designed with an architect's sensibility for appearance and touch."