Audi News

[trobbs@execpc.com]

Copied from the Automotive News Feb. 10, 1997
Bradford Wefnle
Staff Reporter

NADA National Automobile Dealers Association Convention - Atlanta, GA.

AUDI
Demand Strong, dealers happy

Audi dealers this year find themselves in the happy predicament of having more
customers than cars.  At least three new products will arrive in 
Audi dealerships this year, and dealers hope they will further 
strengthen a brand that nearly became extinct in North America just a 
few years ago.  Audi will expand its bread and butter A4 ine up with 
the addition of a five speed manual version the A4 1.8T in about six 
weeks.  The six cylinder A4 2.8, featuring 30 valves and side impact 
air bags, should arrive in dealerships in June, according to Gerd 
Klauss, vice president of Audi of America Inc.  Next fall, Audi will 
introduce the Avant, a version of the A4 that falls between a wagon 
and a sport utility.  That vehicle will come with a Tiptronic 
automatic transmission.  Lastly, arriving in November will be the 
redesigned A6.  In addition, dealers are selling all the A8's they 
can get.  Audi sales grew 51 percent in 1996 and 44 percent in 1995.  
Sales last year were 27,379.  Audi dealerships often are dueled with 
other franchises.  With the recent successes, Audi is moving  to get 
more autonomy for its dealerships.  More than 100 of Audi's 280 
dealers have approached Audi with "brand separation" projects in 
mind, Klauss said, including building a separate showroom of just 
erecting a wall.  Audi is also considering setting up its own finance 
subsidiary, Audi Financial Services, within Volkswagen Credit.  "A 
very emotional goal would be to become the No. 1 export market 
again," said Rob Roseta, Audi National Dealer Council chairman and 
general manager of Sunset Imports in Beaverton, Oregon.  The United 
States is the third larges Audi market behind Italy and Great 
Britain.  "Last year was good, but this year will be better'" said 
Bill Donaldson, owner of Donaldson Audi in Sayerville, N.Y.  "The 
franchise has turned around. I'm proud to be an Audi dealer."