January 17, 2013

Audi AG expects India to enter its top 10 markets by 2014-15

Audi, the second largest luxury car maker in the world, and India, expects the Indian auto industry to be amongst its top 10 markets within the next two years.

German luxury car makers, Audi have great plans in store for India, where it registered a growth rate of 64% for 2012, as far as car sales are concerned. Having only recently launched their new Audi Q5 Sports Utility Vehicle in India, priced between Rs.43.16 lakhs and Rs.48.71 lakhs, the global company expects India to be among their top 10 global markets by the 2014-15.

Audi sold 9,003 units in 2012 in India, while their future targets are expected to rise 20% to around 10,500 to 10,800 units during the current year. India is currently ranked 22 on the list of top car markets for Audi AG, which should rise to 6th or 7th position by 2020. Audi plans on bringing in five new products in India which will include the new R8 and S6. Their recently launched Q5 SUV has already seen 250 bookings.

Despite these optimistic plans, the company has not announced any further investments in the country. Audi’s Q7 SUV and another model will be assembled at the newly commissioned third assembly line at Skoda’s Aurangabad plant. Audi currently assembles its A4 and A6 sedans besides the Q5 at Aurangabad while the Q3 will also be added to their current lineup by the second quarter of this year. Dealership expansion is also on the cards which the company plans to increase to 32 or 34 from a current 25.