Ladies and gentlemen: Following its fifth year of record sales in Australia, Audi is now the fastest-growing premium brand in the country, and I am proud to take over the role of Managing Director of Audi Australia Pty Ltd with such a history, and an exciting future ahead.
The Audi team is justifiably proud of the brand’s growth Down Under. With 2009 on record as one of the toughest years for carmakers, Audi Australia grew by 20 percent in 2009, finishing the year with sales of 11,310 – more than three times our 2004 result of 3,700 cars.
Globally, Audi sold around 950,000 cars – a strong finish for the company in a similarly tough global market. In fact, the sales result was revised upward in November last year from 900,000 units and Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, sees this as a sign of the Audi brand’s strength: “We are making a lively start 2010 and aim to deliver one million cars again.”
In 2009, the brand celebrated two significant milestones. Worldwide, we marked 100 years of Audi, and in Australia, the company officially opened our stunning new Lighthouse building on South Dowling Street in Zetland, Sydney. It is the largest brand terminal of its kind in the world and is a tangible sign of Audi’s success in Australia.
In fact, around the nation our entire dealer network is investing heavily in new and upgraded facilities for Audi which will allow us to showcase our entire range of exciting new products on the way.
Around the world, Audi continues to win awards for its innovative carlines and key new models added this year see us once again in a leading role. For example, the all new Audi A5 Sportback is one of the most significant new models to be launched in 2010 with its unique ‘three-cars-in-one’ combination of emotive, coupe-like styling, the interior space of a sedan for four adults, and five doors and a capacious luggage area reminiscient of an Audi Avant.
This year, we will also introduce the superlative new Audi A8 – our flagship luxury limousine. Already touted by the world’s press as the leader in its segment, the new Audi A8 will arrive in Australia in mid-2010. It will be joined mid-year by the supercharged Audi S5 Sportback, as well as the new Audi R8 Spyder and RS5 Coupe – two new sportscars which are mind to set the heart racing.
Our company also enjoys a long history and strong focus on what we call ‘motoring without regret’. To this end, we have just launched several very efficient new models in Australia – the Audi A4 2.0 TDI e which now proudly wears the mantle of Australia’s most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan, with consumption of just 4.8 litres per 100km. The new A4 and A5 2.0 TFSI quattro models have also received an efficiency boost with the introduction of the brand’s smart new Start-Stop technology as a standard feature – reducing consumption thanks to this effective and driver-friendly technology.
For more than 30 years, Audi has been progressively reducing consumption with new engines, transmissions, lightweight technology and numerous other features which we include as part of our ‘modular efficiency toolbox’. We have been systematically and consistently adding even the most fuel-efficient models to our range as part of our commitment to progressive performance.
Audi now has more low consumption models on offer than any other premium brand in Australia. In total, there are 22 extremely efficient petrol and TDI engines all with consumption of 7 litres per 100km or less.
Combined with the leading performance of our range-topping models, Audi’s reputation as one of the most progressive premium brands in Australia is secure.
Ladies and gentlemen, we will also continue to prioritise customer satisfaction as a key facet of our business. Whether this is through our innovative technology or our emotional new products, our focus is certainly to ensure you receive the best-possible Audi experience.
We look forward to welcoming you to our brand.
Uwe Hagen
Managing Director
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