Audi wants to add another 200 dealers in China.

Yannis · 03-27-2006, 10:43 AM

Audi may add another 200 dealers in China

GENEVA -- Audi AG wants to add as many as 200 dealers in China within two years. Audi currently has 125 dealers in China, where it is the No. 1 premium automaker.

Ralph Weyler, Audi's head of sales and marketing, said the carmaker will focus on boosting its dealer network in emerging markets. "We have enough dealers in Europe and the U.S.," Weyler told Automotive News Europe at the Geneva auto show.

By the end of 2008, Audi wants to sell 1 million cars worldwide by broadening its model lineup and by boosting sales in Russia, the Middle East, South Korea and Asia.

China will be the first focus. Weyler said Audi expects to sell 100,000 units annually in China within three years. In 2005, Audi sales in China rose 9.6 percent to 58,878 cars, compared with 53,720 cars sold in 2004.

Audi Chairman Martin Winterkorn expects China to replace the United States as Audi's largest export market. Winterkorn said he expects 10 percent growth in China this year.

Audi will introduce its Q7 SUV and A4 Cabriolet in China this year.

Audi is confident that it will continue to grow in China, thanks to the loosening of auto financing restraints in the country, the ending of vehicle import restrictions this year, and the country's general economic situation.

Audi, which has 765 dealers worldwide, will add more in growth markets and improve existing sales outlets, Weyler said. It also will focus on improving service areas, dealer infrastructure, dealer training and connection to the wholesale market in existing locations.

"It's necessary to have a well-organized sales and service organization," Weyler said. "We have set the target for Audi with our model portfolio. The dealer portion has to be done next."

Winterkorn has said he wants Audi to sell 1.4 million vehicles by 2015. Last year, it sold 829,109 units worldwide.

Audi's top 5 markets last year and how they improved over 2004

2005 sales % increase
1. Germany 247,125 5.1
2. U.S. 83,066 6.6
3. U.K. 81,374 4.5
4. China 58,878 9.6
5. Italy 55,574 10

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ADGvast · 03-28-2006, 08:06 AM

The image of Audi in China is really good, aspecially the Black coloured A6.

Giannis · 03-28-2006, 08:18 AM

isn't 200 new dealers too much, even at such a large market. The total will be 325 dealers in china while it has 765 dealers world wide!

03-27-2006, 10:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Yannis Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,198 My Mood: Thanks: 1,243 Thanked 1,229 Times in 701 Posts	Audi wants to add another 200 dealers in China. Audi may add another 200 dealers in China GENEVA -- Audi AG wants to add as many as 200 dealers in China within two years. Audi currently has 125 dealers in China, where it is the No. 1 premium automaker. Ralph Weyler, Audi's head of sales and marketing, said the carmaker will focus on boosting its dealer network in emerging markets. "We have enough dealers in Europe and the U.S.," Weyler told Automotive News Europe at the Geneva auto show. By the end of 2008, Audi wants to sell 1 million cars worldwide by broadening its model lineup and by boosting sales in Russia, the Middle East, South Korea and Asia. China will be the first focus. Weyler said Audi expects to sell 100,000 units annually in China within three years. In 2005, Audi sales in China rose 9.6 percent to 58,878 cars, compared with 53,720 cars sold in 2004. Audi Chairman Martin Winterkorn expects China to replace the United States as Audi's largest export market. Winterkorn said he expects 10 percent growth in China this year. Audi will introduce its Q7 SUV and A4 Cabriolet in China this year. Audi is confident that it will continue to grow in China, thanks to the loosening of auto financing restraints in the country, the ending of vehicle import restrictions this year, and the country's general economic situation. Audi, which has 765 dealers worldwide, will add more in growth markets and improve existing sales outlets, Weyler said. It also will focus on improving service areas, dealer infrastructure, dealer training and connection to the wholesale market in existing locations. "It's necessary to have a well-organized sales and service organization," Weyler said. "We have set the target for Audi with our model portfolio. The dealer portion has to be done next." Winterkorn has said he wants Audi to sell 1.4 million vehicles by 2015. Last year, it sold 829,109 units worldwide. Audi's top 5 markets last year and how they improved over 2004 2005 sales % increase 1. Germany 247,125 5.1 2. U.S. 83,066 6.6 3. U.K. 81,374 4.5 4. China 58,878 9.6 5. Italy 55,574 10 - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

03-28-2006, 08:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
ADGvast Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 160 Thanks: 160 Thanked 160 Times in 46 Posts	Re: Audi wants to add another 200 dealers in China. The image of Audi in China is really good, aspecially the Black coloured A6.

03-28-2006, 08:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
Giannis Devotee Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Patra, Greece Posts: 3,487 Thanks: 139 Thanked 212 Times in 163 Posts	Re: Audi wants to add another 200 dealers in China. isn't 200 new dealers too much, even at such a large market. The total will be 325 dealers in china while it has 765 dealers world wide!

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