In spite of lower unit sales, Audi revenues rose in the first quarter by 2.4 per cent to 5.658bn euros.Unit sales slipped by 0.5 per cent to 181,825 vehicles.
Mon Motors' new Audi Centre in Cardiff – redeveloped at a cost of £1.5m – has now opened its doors for business.
Volkswagen is to recall around 850,000 cars following the discovery of problems with the car's ignition systems. The recall will affect 2001 and 2002 Audi, Skoda, Seat and Volkswagen cars equipped with 1.8-litre turbo, V5, V6 and W8 petrol engines.
Availability of the locally-built A6 has helped Audi post a near 25 per cent car sales increase in China - to 36,500 cars.
Prince Charles' appeal for Government departments to “Buy British” for their catering contracts in order to help hard-pressed British farmers has raised claims of hypocrisy in the tabloid press. The Sunday Mirror has pointed out that the prince had just signed a £99k deal with Audi.
Audi has introduced a new manufacturing process at its Neckarsulm plant which allows customers to make last minute spec changes to their A8. Changes are accepted up to two days before completion.
VW chief Berndt Pischetsrieder has denied media suggestions that his company is in direct talks with Fiat Auto management as possible partners in the restructuring deal for the ailing carmaker. But he admitted that the Audi subsidiary was in talks with Maserati about “cooperation”.
Audi has announced plans to grow the number of sites it owns and leases back to dealers from 26 to 40 over the next few years, mostly in high-cost metropolitan areas.
The Honda Accord may lack the charisma to be a credible Audi A4 or BMW 3-series rival, but the well-built and good-driving Accord is great value for families.
Pluto-barges are popping up like friends after a lottery win. What with BMW unleashing the dare-to-be-different 7-series with Valvetronic V8s and controversial I-Drive, and Mercedes revising the S-class - default choice of company directors and diplomats across the globe - with new engines, air suspension and a modest amount of body massaging, there's never been a better choice of limo.
Dealer networks could be downsized as leading carmakers tackle the changes that block exemption is heralding. Industry sources reveal major marques such as Audi, BMW and Mini will use the chance to issue new franchising contracts as a way of stripping out “rogue” retailers from their networks.
Audi is on a roll, according to new boss Martin Winterkorn. But he sees room for improvement. More power and more character of course, but with costs kept down with a strategic alliance between Audi, Seat and Lamborghini - the sister brands in VW's 'sporty' division.
The Saab 9-5 is a keenly-priced, well-equipped alternative to the Audi A6. Up to three years old, values drop more rapidly than other executive models, so private buyers can pick up real bargains.
Record market share is threatening to leave Audi's retail network with a major shortfall in staffing. Only weeks after celebrating showroom success that has made it the fastest-growing premium brand in Britain, Audi UK has launched a nationwide search for up to 500 extra sales staff and technicians.
Seat's current Toledo saloon is a top value, high quality alternative to the Audi A4, Skoda Octavia and VW Bora. It's an ex-fleet choice that appeals to buyers looking for both quality and enjoyable driving, but who don't want to spend too much.<
Audi does logic like almost no other. It's now doing soul as well with its fastest ever model, the RS6. And this may well be the best car anywhere for dealing with big distances at speed.
Volkswagen Financial Services has launched a flexible PCP package to help its dealers fight back against direct lenders which are taking a growing slice of the finance market. Dealers in the Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda networks will use the New Solutions PCP to boost penetration levels for new car sales.
A very clever engine, this. Currently too clever for its own good because, like many clever things, the 1.6 direct petrol-injection unit in the Audi A2 FSI has a very specific diet to foster its genius. It works best on Optimax, which has ultra-low sulphur levels but isn't widely available in the UK.
The charismatic Alfa 156 is a stylish alternative to the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and Lexus IS200. A great deal less expensive, too. A 99S 1.8 TS with 42,000 miles is £8,500 privately.
Audi is to progressively drop automatic transmissions from its entire model range. But those who like to take it easy behind the wheel needn't worry - the self-shifters are being replaced by Audi's new generation continuously variable transmissions (CVT).
