AUDI of South Africa achieves best ever Market Share in 2009

The South African motor industry has endured a challenging 2009. Despite this 2009 has proven to be a watershed year for Audi of South Africa. With an economy in recession and increasing competition in the premium segment of the market Audi of South Africa was able to end its year on a high by achieving a 3.6% market of total market.

This represents an increase of 0.7% on the share of 2008 (2.9%). This is the highest market share ever achieved by the Audi brand in South Africa!

“We are indeed very pleased with our results in 2009”, says Ryan Searle, General Manager of Audi Sales and Marketing. “Being progressive is our differentiating strength and this mindset no doubt allowed us to achieve these fantastic results.

“Although 2009 was certainly challenging, in the current market conditions, 3.6% market share truly proves the strength of the Audi brand, its products, Dealer Network, our approach to improving customer service and the true ‘Vorsprung’ spirit of its people.

“The consistent performance of the Audi brand in the second half of 2009 is a very positive indication of the capabilities of the brand going forward. Our aim is to exceed this record in 2010.” concluded Searle.

Audi of South Africa is proud to also be celebrating the current successes that its parent company has reported. Audi AG has exceeded its sales forecast for 2009 selling 949,700 cars worldwide. Overall sales for 2009 were thus only 5.4 percent down on the record-breaking figure for 2008 (2008: 1,003,469 vehicle deliveries). Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, interprets this as a sign of the Audi brand’s strength: “We are making a lively start in 2010 and aim to deliver one million cars again.”

Audi AG also maintained positive results in all four quarters of 2009 and moreover the company achieved significant operating profits in all four quarters of 2009. These sentiments were definitely shared by Mr Rupert Stadler: Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG, “Great uncertainty still predominated at the start of the year. Yet in a joint show of strength all Audi employees worked with dedication so that we could hold our ground more successfully than the competition could. We aim to achieve further growth in 2010 with further product introductions and continued investment. Audi will continue to invest heavily in new products and forward looking technologies for the future.”