The Audi Group has announced increased revenues and vehicle sales for its worldwide operations.

At an initial Year 2000 financial review Audi AG's board of management chairman Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen revealed that sales revenues had increased to £12.8 billion (1999: £9.7 billion), including the Italian importer Autogerma for the first time.

A total of 653,404 vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide, a 2.9% increase on the previous year. In addition Audi sold 296 Lamborghini sport cars (up 11.7%). Together with the other VW Group brands sold through Autogerma, the Audi Group sold a total of 919,61 units.

In the USA, Audi achieved the best sales result in its history, with 80,372 sold, up 21.9%.

In Europe, excluding Germany, sales were up just 0.1% to 269,024.

Dr Paefgen said: “Our goal for this year is quantitative and qualitative growth. Our sound basis will allow us to make extensive provisions for the future.”

The medium term investment plan, he continued, earmarks a record £5.6 billion up to 2005.

“This includes many new profit-making opportunities for Audi in the long-term and a further strengthening of the company's competitiveness on the world market,” Dr Paefgen said.