Consolidation of strong market position
.

Audi TT Roadster

Photo: Audi

In Germany, 198,568 (177,719) cars were handed over to their new owners (up 11.7 percent). In Western Europe (excluding Germany), 202,063 (197,647) Audi cars were delivered to their new owners (increase of 2.2 percent). The markets enjoying the highest growth rates are Spain, where unit sales increased by 17.2 percent to 29,746, and France, where the total rose by 12.9 percent to 26,370 cars. The market share in Germany in the first nine months of the year is anticipated to reach 6.8 percent (6.4 percent). The market share in Western Europe (including Germany) will be in the region of 3.4 (3.4) percent.

In the USA, unit sales soared by 44.7 percent to 46,746 (32,305) cars. In Japan, 4,586 (7,086) cars were delivered to customers. This downturn, which is attributable to the adverse economic conditions there, represents a fall of 35.3 percent compared with the period for January to September 1998.

In the rest of the world, vehicle sales for the first nine months of the year amounted to 30,864 (31,692) units (down 2.6 percent). Of this total, 5,140 (5,245) Audis were sold in China (down 2 percent). Paefgen remarked: "The production start of the Chinese version of the Audi A6 in September will further strengthen our position in China. The A6 is the first deluxe-class model to be specially developed and built in China, and aimed at the Chinese market".

Sales revenue in the Audi Group rose by around 10 percent in the first nine months of the year, to a prospective total of DM 21.8 (19.8) billion. "This growth is attributable to a combination of higher vehicle sales and a further improved product mix", added Paefgen. Capital investments in the first nine months of the year rose year-on-year by a further 4.9 percent, to a prospective total of DM 1.987 (1.895) billion. The development of new products accounted for two-thirds of investment spending. Such development activities include the Audi A2, the first volume-built car to have an aluminium body. "The A2 is our contribution to the debate about environment-focused taxation and higher fuel prices", explained Paefgen.

Audi's energetic investment in the qualitative expansion of its model range and the structural expansion of its plants was the reason given by the Member of the Board for Finance, Peter Abele, for the high rate of investment of over 9 percent. "This investment and development spending has been planned very meticulously. It is our passport to a successful future, underpins our competitiveness and opens up fresh prospects for earnings in the long term", emphasized Abele.

By virtue of the Audi Group's expanded business activities, a total of 3,617 new jobs have been created over the past twelve months (based on the figures as at September 30), of which 2,571 are in Germany (Ingolstadt: 1,787, Neckarsulm: 784) and 1,046 in Hungary. On September 30, the Audi Group had a total of 45,556 (41,939) employees (up 8.6 percent).

* The figures for the Audi Group do not include Cosworth Technology Ltd. and Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. These companies will be consolidated at the end of the year.

2000 Chevrolet Impala LS-Sedan

Photo: GM

Monte Carlo, Chevy's all-new midsize coupe, is beginning to sell briskly in showrooms, and inherits an impressive sales performance from its predecessor. The previous generation Monte Carlo posted its best sales in three years in August (8,327), and is sold out. Monte Carlo also topped the midsize coupe market in registrations (44,508) for the calendar year through August (latest available figures).

The new Impala and Monte Carlo models are built at GM's Oshawa, Ontario, manufacturing facility -- the #1-rated mid-size assembly plant for initial product quality.