Top-News

Top-News

Audi is offering its customers two sustainable alternatives in the midsize category: the new A4 Avant g-tron and the new A5 Sportback g-tron. Both models are powered by a bivalent 2.0 TFSI engine developing 170 hp. Like the A3 Sportback g-tron that is already on the market, they can run on a choice of the climate-friendly fuel Audi e-gas, conventional CNG (compressed natural gas) or gasoline. Customers can now order both models from dealers. A4 Avant g-tron: CNG consumption in kg/100 km: 4.4 - 3.8*; combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.5 - 5.5*; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km (CNG): 117 - 102*; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km (gasoline): 147 - 126* A5 Sportback g-tron: CNG consumption in kg/100 km: 4.2 - 3.8*; combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.3 - 5.6*; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km (CNG): 114 - 102*; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km (gasoline): 143 - 126* A3 Sportback g-tron: CNG consumption in kg/100 km: 3.6 - 3.3*; combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.5 - 5.1 *; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km (CNG): 98 - 89*; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km (gasoline): 128 - 117*

AUDI AG is offering attractive trade-in bonuses to customers who switch to an Audi with Euro 6 standard from diesel-powered cars with emission standards Euro 1 through Euro 4. The price advantage is scaled by model. Depending on the category of the new car, it amounts to between €3,000 and €10,000. The bonus is especially attractive for customers who select an Audi with plug-in-hybrid technology or a g-tron model that runs on CNG (compressed natural gas). The initiative is applicable in Germany with immediate effect. In this way, Audi is helping to accelerate the replacement of older vehicles with modern and more environmentally friendly cars.

AUDI AG has increased its worldwide deliveries in July by 3.5 percent year-on-year. With around 154,600 cars sold, the company achieved the highest July sales in its history. Sales increased in all core regions – in Europe by 1.4 percent, in North America by 4.0 percent and in Asia-Pacific by 6.7 percent. China made up the biggest share of gains in the past month, up 10.3 percent to 51,235 customers. In the United States (+2.5%), Audi continued its growth streak despite the clearly negative market environment. Around 1,063,550 worldwide deliveries since January are 3.6 percent below the 2016 reference figure following a challenging beginning of the year. At the start of July, the cumulative figure was still at a negative 4.7 percent.

Audi driver Lucas di Grassi is the new champion of the worldwide Formula E electric racing series. After taking the lead of the standings with a lights-to-flag victory in the first of the two final races in Montreal (Canada), the Brazilian from Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport wrapped up the title on taking seventh place on Sunday.

The Audi Group achieved revenue of €30.1 billion and operating profit of €2.7 billion in the first half of 2017. Audi improved its operating performance compared with the first half of last year. The operating return on sales increased to 8.9 percent and is clearly within the target corridor of 8 to 10 percent. Worldwide deliveries of Audi brand cars were lower than in the first half of 2016 following the temporary decrease in sales in China. In June, unit sales in China increased again and reached their highest ever level for the month of June. The company anticipates stronger sales worldwide in the second half of the year, while advance expenditure for new models will have a greater financial impact than in the first six months of this year.

Audi is offering its customers in Europe and other markets* a retrofit program for cars with EU5 and EU6 diesel engines. A total of up to 850,000 cars worldwide with six-cylinder and eight-cylinder diesel engines (V6/V8 TDI, EU5/EU6) will get new software. This will further improve their emissions in real driving conditions beyond the current legal requirements. The action will take place in close consultation with Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). In this way, Audi intends to reduce overall emissions, especially in urban areas. The service also applies to the Porsche and Volkswagen models that are fitted with the same types of engines and will be carried out free of charge for all customers.

What is a premium experience like in a self-driving car? Audi is researching this in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO. In the futuristic driving simulator, the experts on human-machine interaction investigated, for example, how the car interior can become a perfect workplace. The findings help the car maker to provide every user with a personally optimized automobile interior in the future. This research cooperation is part of the Audi project “25th Hour.”

Today is where the future begins in the luxury class: The new Audi A8 makes its world debut at the Audi Summit in Barcelona. In its fourth generation, the flagship model again provides the benchmark for Vorsprung durch Technik – with a new design language, an innovative touchscreen operating concept and a systematically electrified drive. The Audi A8 is also the first production automobile in the world to have been developed for highly automated driving. From 2018, Audi will gradually be taking piloted driving functions such as parking pilot, garage pilot and traffic jam pilot into production.

At the first Audi Summit this Tuesday, the premium brand is presenting innovations along its path to becoming the premium digital car company. Barcelona is the venue for an exclusive brand event at which 2,000 guests from all over the world will experience the premiere of the new Audi A8 and other technological milestones from the brand with the Four Rings. The brand’s exhibition showcases new concepts for individual mobility in the digital age, with topics of the future such as sustainable manufacturing, lightweight construction, connectivity, piloted driving and digital services.

AUDI AG increased sales in June in all its three largest sales markets. In China (+1.7%), the company returned to growth. In the tightening U.S. market, the Four Rings saw business continue to grow substantially, up 5.3 percent. Sales also increased year-on-year in Western Europe (+2.6%). Audi delivered around 170,650 automobiles to customers worldwide in the past month, thus exceeding the high level of June 2016 (+1.0%). Cumulative sales since January total around 908,950 units. The impact in the first few months of the year of extraordinary effects associated with the strategic alignment of Audi’s China business meant sales by midyear were down 4.7 percent on the 2016 figure.

Audi will be the first German automobile manufacturer to race in Formula E. The brand with the four rings is taking over ABT Sportsline’s place on the grid. The Allgäu-based team has been successfully present in Formula E since the electric racing series’ inception and in the future will be taking care of the Audi race cars as the fielding team. Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler will start to the fourth Formula E season in Hong Kong at the beginning of December.

Audi continues to be a preferred employer for many young academics in Germany. This is demonstrated by the current employer surveys carried out by the consulting companies Universum* and trendence*. In particular, students of engineering and economics place the company in top positions and want to turn their visions into Vorsprung at Audi. Amongst IT experts, the automobile manufacturer with innovative topics is once again ranked in the top-ten most popular employers.

Wednesday night the new Audi A8* could be seen in Los Angeles alongside many Hollywood stars at the world premiere of ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’ Tom Holland, who stars as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, was chauffeured down the red carpet at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau arrived together in a black Audi R8 Spyder*.

After “Generation Y,” “Generation Z” has now also arrived on the job market. Audi wants to better understand the professional desires and goals of this youngest employee generation and has carried out a wide-ranging survey of people born in or after 1995. The most important finding: “Generation Z” is loyal, flexible and career oriented – and is far less different from “Generation Y” than had been assumed.

The new Audi A8 proves itself a versatile performer on the road. Thanks to its active suspension, it provides comfort-oriented customers with a chauffeur-driven sedan offering a stylishly smooth ride. The enthusiastic owner-driver can relish the characteristics of a sports car. This flexibility is made possible thanks to the new active suspension based on the 48-volt electrical system, which is used for the first time as the main electrical system. The new Audi A8 makes its world debut at the Audi Summit in Barcelona on July 11.

Audi is expanding its model portfolio with a new e-tron-model. Production of the Audi e-tron Sportback will start at Audi Brussels (Belgium) in 2019. That Audi plant will therefore be responsible for producing a second fully electric model. The Audi e-tron electric SUV will drive off the assembly line there as of 2018.

Another success for Audi at the “International Engine of the Year Awards”: The brand with the four rings received the prestigious award in the 2 to 2.5 liter category for its 2.5 TFSI engine. It is the thirteenth win overall for Audi.

Audi driver René Rast is the man of the hour in the DTM. The newcomer celebrated his first DTM victory at the Hungaroring and on pulling off a mega weekend even snatched the lead of the drivers’ standings. In the manufacturers’ and teams’ classifications, Audi is in front as well before its home round at the Norisring on July 1/2.

The Audi R8 Spyder V10 plus (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 12.5 l/100 km [18.8 US mpg]; combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 292 [469.9 g/mi]) from the workshop of Audi Sport GmbH is the fastest series-production convertible model from the brand with the four rings. Its unmistakable 610 hp V10 mid-engine offers intense driving performance and powers the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The standard performance program, R8 bucket seats and many components made from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer distinguish this high-performance sports car, with its exclusive micrommata green paint finish giving it an even more cutting-edge look.

Before the official world premiere, the new Audi A8* appears on the silver screen. The flagship of the premium brand makes a guest appearances in the Marvel blockbuster ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming,’ in theaters worldwide in July . Therefore, movie fans will be the first to catch a glance at the luxurious sedan at the film premiere which takes place in Los Angeles on June 28.

Audi has issued invitations to its own brand exhibition to take place on July 11, 2017. On a total area of more than 10,000 square meters, the first Audi Summit will showcase pioneering solutions for the urban mobility of tomorrow – from premium mobility services to piloted driving and parking. 2,000 guests from all over the world will also experience the premiere of the brand’s new flagship, the Audi A8.

In May, AUDI AG delivered around 159,600 cars to customers, 2.8 percent less than in the same month in 2016. Around 738,300 deliveries over the first five months of the year represent a decrease of 5.9 percent worldwide. Despite the downturn of the total U.S. market, Audi managed to further increase sales in the United States in May too, achieving substantial growth in North America overall since the start of the year (+6.6%). In China, the sales balance for the past month (-4.0%) was still influenced by the negotiations on future collaboration, which have now been brought to a successful conclusion. The intended comprehensive deal was sealed in the second half of the month. The Chinese Audi dealers reported 48,012 units delivered in May, the highest monthly sales figure in the year to date.

The new Audi A8 is advancing electrification on a broad front. In the next model generation, the flagship will for the first time feature an electrified powertrain as standard. To that end, the combustion engines will be equipped with mild hybrid technology. What this means for the customer is refined running and enhanced performance, coupled with greater efficiency. The basis is the 48-volt electrical system, which features for the first time in the new Audi A8 as the primary electrical system.

Audi CEO Prof. Rupert Stadler has spoken at a congress of the United Nations about the use of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humankind. In his keynote speech at the start of the “AI for Good Global Summit,” he stated that automated driving presents an opportunity to improve life significantly. He warned, however, against excessive expectations: “In situations where an accident is unavoidable, we expect a decision from the autonomous car. But a dilemma situation cannot be solved either by a human or by a machine.” Therefore, alongside legal issues, ethical questions about the use of the new technology also needed to be discussed, he added. With the beyond initiative, Stadler is now calling for such a discourse.

Within the context of a proactive, comprehensive investigation of transmission software in various model versions, Audi has detected anomalies in the NOx emissions in certain driving conditions of approximately 24,000 cars of the A7 and A8 model series certified according to the EU5 emission standard. Their NOx emissions exceed the limit by a factor of up to two but will be corrected by new transmission software.

Fourth victory in five calendar years: After 2012, 2014 and 2015, the overall victory in 2017 once again went to the Audi R8 LMS. This makes the race car from Audi Sport customer racing the most successful sports car since 2012, at which time the GT3 models first started battling it out for the overall race win in the Eifel.

AUDI AG, FAW Group and FAW-Volkswagen have signed an agreement with the Audi dealer council for the future development of the Audi business in China. The agreement is based on a common understanding of how the planned cooperation between SAIC and Audi will meet the interests of all parties involved. AUDI AG, FAW Group and FAW-Volkswagen will implement the 10-year growth plan together with their dealer partners in order to develop business in China in a profitable and sustainable way.

Audi takes a confident look at the future despite the current challenges. Following a year that was impacted by the diesel crisis, the company plans to continue pushing forward with its strategic transformation. At the Annual General Meeting this Thursday in Neckarsulm, the Board of Management explained the company’s plans for its models, technologies and business operations to the shareholders.

In its regular meeting this Wednesday, the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG confirmed the appointment of Rupert Stadler as Chairman of the Board of Management for another five years. The Supervisory Board also decided to upgrade and expand the area of responsibility for integrity. The Chief Compliance Officer is to report directly to CFO Axel Strotbek.

7,000 attendees on site, millions worldwide via the internet: Audi is taking part in the renowned Google I/O developer conference, where it is presenting its concept of a next generation infotainment system with fully integrated Android. This world premiere opens up new perspectives, which will allow the development of connectivity services to be greatly accelerated.

Audi factory driver Lucas di Grassi has clinched another podium result in the Formula E electric racing series on the shortened Formula 1 circuit in Monaco, his adopted country, and in round five of the season kept the crowd in suspense up until the end.

AUDI AG delivered around 156,150 cars to customers worldwide in April; a decrease of 5.0 percent compared to the 2016 record-breaking figure. In China, where business is currently impacted by extraordinary effects associated with Audi’s strategic alignment in the market, sales in the past month were 11.6 percent higher than in March. Year-on-year, April results in China were still 6.9 percent down. Global deliveries since the start of the year amount to around 578,750 units, 6.7 percent below the 2016 figure. In Western Europe (+1.0%) and North America (+7.3%), Audi achieved further growth despite the ongoing model changeover for the Q5 and the A5 family.

After just two races, the new Audi RS 5 DTM is already a winning car: in the turbulent round two of the 2017 DTM at the Hockenheimring, Jamie Green was in a class of his own on Sunday.

For the second consecutive time, Audi achieved overall victory in the Automotive Innovations Award in the premium manufacturer category. With this, the brand with the four rings once again demonstrated its versatility and innovative strength in important future segments like aerodynamics, lightweight construction, connectivity and piloted driving.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Audi Group achieved a robust operating profit. While revenue remained at the level of the first quarter of last year the earnings figure actually rose slightly compared to the prior-year period which had been negatively influenced by special items. The operating return on sales for the first quarter is 8.7 percent.

AUDI AG has introduced sustainability ratings for its suppliers this April. The objective is that in the future, orders will only be placed with suppliers that obtain a positive rating. Audi is therefore increasing its commitment to achieving a sustainable value chain. The ratings are based on checks carried out at the suppliers’ production plants as well as on self disclosure. The premium car manufacturer is starting the ratings system with the selection of suppliers for the new Audi e-tron* electric SUV and for the successor to the Audi A3.

Everything continues to run according to plan for Mattias Ekström and his EKS team in the FIA World Rallycross Championship 2017. At the second round in Montalegre, the defending World Champion beat nine-time Rally World Champion Sébastien Loeb in a thrilling finale. With his second victory this season, the Swede extended his lead in the drivers’ classification. In the team classification, World Champion EKS sits in second place behind the PSRX Volkswagen Sweden squad.

Design study and technology demonstrator, electric car and power pack in the guise of a coupé: Audi presents a versatile concept car at the Auto Shanghai this spring. The four-door Gran Turismo Audi e-tron Sportback concept comes with a 320 kW electric drive. The formal idiom combines classic Audi elements with an array of trendsetting details: an electrifying architecture, tailored consistently to the technology and the package of the electric drive.

AUDI AG sold around 422,600 automobiles in the first quarter of 2017, 7.3 percent less than one year ago. International markets reported a mixed picture for the Four Rings: Western Europe (+2.4%) and North America (+8.6%) both registered the most successful start to the year in Audi history. Despite the ongoing generation changeover of important high-volume models such as the Audi Q5 and the A5 family, the brand continued to grow in both regions. In China (-22.1%), by contrast, temporary extraordinary effects impacted the start of 2017. Audi is laying important structural foundations for the market potential of the coming decade there. In the month of March, around 173,450 deliveries worldwide were 6.8 percent below the previous year’s figure.

Silver, red and black are the colors of Audi Sport – and of the new special edition R8 Coupé model bearing its name. Along with specific components in the cockpit and body, the colors heighten the car’s motorsport feeling. Audi is unveiling the exclusive, high-performance sports car for the first time, at the New York International Auto Show. The car is being built in a limited run of 200 and can be ordered from May onward.

Before the New York International Auto Show the Audi R8 LMS premiered in its GT4 version. Audi Sport GmbH’s customer racing program has been experiencing rapid growth. Audi has been offering the Audi R8 LMS GT3 race car since 2009, followed by the second generation of this success model in 2015, and the RS 3 LMS for the TCR category in 2016. Now Audi Sport’s portfolio of models has been extended once again.

Audi is to expand its portfolio with two new Q models and has announced where they will be built: Production of the Audi Q8 will start in Bratislava (Slovakia) in 2018 and the first Audi Q4 will drive off the assembly line in Győr (Hungary) in 2019.

Audi is writing a new chapter in its lightweight design success story. For the next generation of the Audi A8*, an intelligent mix of four materials is being used for the first time in the weight-bearing body structure – more materials than in any of the brand’s previous production models. The luxury sedan is thus once again rightfully claiming its role as an innovation driver in automotive lightweight design: Its low weight and impressive rigidity offer greater performance, efficiency and safety.

The green light has been given for the shared vehicle architecture strategy of the future: Rupert Stadler and Oliver Blume, the Board of Management Chairmen of AUDI AG and Porsche AG, plan to cooperate even more closely. The objective of the new initiative is to shape the mobility of the future together. Through the effective application of development capacities, additional scope is to be created for the topics of electrification, digitization and autonomous driving. This will enhance competitiveness so that the two companies can optimally utilize the opportunities for future model generations and better meet the challenges.

Audi is one of “Germany’s best training companies” for the second time in succession. According to a study by FOCUS MONEY magazine, the company offers optimal conditions for apprentices in the “Automobile Manufacturers” category. A total of 940 companies from more than 50 sectors participated in the nationwide study.

Audi plans to acquire Silvercar by expanding its minority share to 100 percent. The U.S.-based company has successfully specialized in digital services for flexible vehicle use in the high-end market segment. In the future, Audi and Silvercar intend to cooperate closely to expand the range of mobility products and services offered in the U.S. In addition to the core business of Silvercar, both partners also plan to further develop the successfully launched Audi mobility services in the U.S. market. The acquisition is currently subject to approval from the applicable regulatory authorities.

At this year’s Annual General Meeting to be held on May 19, 2017, the Supervisory Board of Audi Aktiengesellschaft will propose the ratification of the actions of all current members of the Board of Management for the year 2016. This will take place on the basis of a comprehensive legal review by the law firm Gleiss Lutz.

The fourth season of the FIA World Rallycross Championship is coming up. Twelve events on three continents are on the calendar this year, kicked off by the round at Barcelona on April 1 and 2, which marks a premiere in several respects. It will be the first race in which EKS receives factory support from Audi. The reigning world champion will be fielding three Audi S1 EKS RX quattro cars for the first time. Plus, Barcelona will be the venue of the season opener for the first time.

Only a week following its world premiere in Geneva, the new Audi RS 5 DTM did its first public test laps on the Italian race track at Vallelunga.

In the coming years, Audi will significantly rejuvenate its product range, will launch several electric cars and will enter new digital business areas. The robust core business forms the basis for the required advance expenditure. The Audi Group’s revenue increased to €59.3 billion in 2016 and its operating return on sales before special items was 8.2 percent. The company recognized provisions totaling €1.8 billion for the resolution of the V6 3.0 TDI diesel issue and in connection with Takata airbags. After these special items, operating profit amounted to €3.1 billion, resulting in an operating return on sales of 5.1 percent.

Clear the stage for an exciting new race car: At the same time as the production model, Audi Sport presented the DTM racing version of the Audi RS 5 Coupé at the Geneva Motor Show. The new RS design language premieres in this model that features numerous modifications required by the regulations as well.

Audi is presenting six new models at the Geneva International Motor Show. Making their world premieres are the Audi Q8 sport concept, which is powered by a 3.0 TFSI V6 engine with a mild hybrid system, and the new RS 5 Coupé* – the Gran Turismo of RS models. Its counterpart in motorsport, the Audi RS 5 DTM, is starting the new season with over 500 hp of power. Two more show debuts accompany the brand’s sporty presentation: the Audi RS 3 Sportback* and the Audi SQ5 TFSI*. And with the A5 Sportback g-tron*, Audi also is presenting one of its sustainable drive concepts. The natural gas-powered car combines dynamic performance, everyday usability and elegant design with low CO₂ emissions.

The new Audi Q5* was awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP, the organization’s highest rating. The top score means the bestseller from Ingolstadt is among the safest automobiles in its class.

The influential American Consumer Reports magazine has ranked Audi the “best car brand” in 2017 in an extensive survey. This is the second consecutive year that Audi has captured first place. Dietmar Voggenreiter, Board Member for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG: “2016 was a record year for Audi in the United States, our third largest global market. We are extremely honored by this distinction and we view it as incentive to keep delighting our customers in the US with sporty, efficient and increasingly connected cars.”

Audi prepared for the new DTM season in a three-day test on the Portuguese race track at Portimão, covering 1,971 kilometers in total. It was the last test with an interim car before the world premiere of the new Audi RS 5 DTM that will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 7 – marking the first debut of the DTM car to take place at the same time as that of the new production model.

For the exemplary integration of people with physical disabilities, AUDI AG has been awarded the 2016 Industrial Inclusion Prize in the large company category. At its plants in Germany in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, the company employs 3,100 people with disabilities, or 5.8 percent of the workforce. Together with the University of St. Gallen, Audi has carried out a comprehensive scientific evaluation of its integration process and has derived further specific steps to be taken.

A prize for a pioneering achievement: Audi has won the Logistics Award for 2017 from the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) in recognition of its FTS driverless vehicle transport system. The autonomously operating system has been in production operation at the Ingolstadt site since the beginning of the year. The parking robot named Ray sorts up to 2,000 cars per day for loading onto railway freight cars. This application is the only one of its kind to date in the automotive industry.

AUDI AG delivered around 124,000 cars to customers in January. In particular, demand continued to rise in Europe (up 3.1% to 61,800 units) and North America (up 11.8% to 16,200 units). Sales in China fell by 35.3% to 35,181 cars. In the last month, Audi established a long-term, strategic growth plan for the coming decade together with its Chinese partner FAW. Against this background the Chinese Audi dealers had planned a restrained business volume at the start of the year. This temporary development in China also affected the global sales balance: Worldwide deliveries fell by 13.5 percent compared with the record-breaking figures for the prior-year month.

The Audi Q2* has won the gold in the German Design Award. At the award ceremony today in Frankfurt am Main, the compact SUV secured the highest award for “Excellent Production Design – Transportation.”

The new Audi RS 3 Sportback* completes the Ingolstadt premium automaker’s sporty vanguard in the compact segment. Following the world premiere of the RS 3 Sedan* at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the RS 3 Sportback now stands poised to make its entry at the Geneva International Motor Show. With the most powerful production five-cylinder in the world, outstanding dynamism and an even sharper look, the car offers an emotional driving experience.

Three months before the 2017 DTM season opener, Audi has announced its team assignments. The premium brand will be the only manufacturer to put three teams on the grid. The DTM season will kick off at the Hockenheimring on May 5.

Audi has driven home two overall wins in the “Best Cars 2017” competition. The Audi A1* triumphed in the “Small Car” category in the reader survey conducted by “auto motor und sport” magazine, and the Audi A3* won the “Compact Car” class. The award ceremony was held today in Stuttgart.

The brand is celebrating a special milestone that also is a fitting occasion for this time of year: rolling off the production line at the new plant in San José Chiapa is the 8 millionth Audi with quattro drive – the technology that delivers a big, built-in boost in safety and driving pleasure, even on snow and ice. The milestone car is a garnet red Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro*.

AUDI AG will be providing factory support to Mattias Ekström’s rallycross project EKS starting in the 2017 season. As a result, Audi Sport, in addition to its commitments in Formula E and the DTM, will be competing in the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) in the future as well.

AUDI AG is set to further expand its business activities in the Chinese market: Together with its local partner FAW Group, the company has defined 21 key strategy fields with respective goals in a 10-year plan. Audi will significantly expand its model portfolio locally produced at FAW VW and enter new segments, including electrified automobiles. With a new dedicated company for mobility and digital services, the two partners want to advance their joint commitment in this expanding premium business segment. Furthermore Audi and FAW will intensify their collaboration in financial services aiming to serve the rapidly growing demand from Audi customers in this field. With this agenda for the future, Audi and FAW are laying the groundwork to continue the growth strategy of the four rings in China.

Audi is kicking off the new year with three highlights: with the Audi Q8 concept car, the premium carmaker is previewing a future production model at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. At the same time, the brand with the four rings is celebrating the world premiere of the Audi SQ5 TFSI* and publicly presenting the A5/S5 Cabriolet* for the first time.

AUDI AG increased its global sales to around 1,867,750 automobiles in 2016, 3.6 percent more than in the previous record-breaking year 2015. During the ongoing, wide-ranging renewal of the model range, sales increased in all core regions: in Europe (+7.1%), in North America (+5.3%) with further growth in the plateaued U.S. market (+4%) and in Asia-Pacific (+0.5%). In all five of its largest individual markets, the four rings sold more automobiles than in the previous year. Worldwide, demand increased for the seventh year in a row since 2009. Compared with 949,729 customers in 2009, the company almost doubled its market success over this period.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key technology for piloted driving – that’s why Audi and strong partners from the electronics industry are jointly developing game-changing know-how in the field of machine learning. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Audi is presenting the Audi Q7 deep learning concept, a piloted driving car made possible thanks to collaboration with NVIDIA.

Audi will start the new year with a sensation: At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2017, the premium manufacturer is to present the Audi Q8 concept. The near-production study represents a synthesis of the emotional styling of a coupé and the spaciousness that typifies an SUV. With this move, the brand is unlocking a new segment for the full-size category.

Audi continues its course of growth: The brand’s deliveries increased by 4.3 percent to around 154,050 units in the past month. Demand rose sharply in Europe where two important new models, the Audi Q2 and the Audi A5, were launched on the market only recently. Across the entire portfolio, sales in the region increased by 9.5 percent to around 68,200 automobiles. The company also posted further growth in the two other core regions of North America (+3.6%) and Asia-Pacific (+0.8%) in November. Since the start of the year around 1,713,900 customers worldwide decided to buy an Audi; 4.2 percent more than in the same period last year.

Audi is bringing a breath of fresh air into the DTM. The Frenchman Loïc Duval and the German René Rast will be two new campaigners to compete in the Audi RS 5 DTM next season. Both have previously been successful in other racing series for Audi, most recently having been active in the WEC. Mattias Ekström (Sweden), Jamie Green (Great Britain), Nico Müller (Switzerland) and Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) have been confirmed as drivers for the 2017 DTM.

Audi is extending its employment guarantee for its approximately 61,000 employees in Germany for a further two years until 2020. According to Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, the current agreement will be followed by further negotiations with the General Works Council. The aim is to achieve a comprehensive pact in combination with an even more long-term job guarantee extending far into the next decade.

It’s one of the world’s most important specialist conferences for artificial intelligence: Every year the Conference and Workshop on Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS) presents advances in the fields of machine learning and computational neuroscience. Audi is showcasing its expertise at the conference for the first time. From December 5 to 10, 2016, in Barcelona, the premium automaker is showing with the aid of a scale model how a car develops intelligent parking strategies. The car manufacturer is also providing specialists and potential applicants with information on jobs in innovative fields.

The brand with the four rings is celebrating the anniversary of the Audi A3. This successful Audi model had its motor show premiere twenty years ago in Paris. Today the premium compact is available in a choice of four body styles, four drive systems and three trim lines.

The new Audi models A5* and Q2* have each been awarded top grades in the Euro NCAP test, confirming their place among the safest vehicles in the competition. This is true for both adult and child safety, for pedestrian protection and for other safety systems.

quattro GmbH, established in Neckarsulm in 1983, is now operating as Audi Sport GmbH. With Stephan Winkelmann at the helm, this fully owned subsidiary of AUDI AG currently has around 1,200 employees.

BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the highest-powered charging network in Europe. The goal is the quick build-up of a sizable number of stations in order to enable long-range travel for battery electric vehicle drivers. This will be an important step towards facilitating mass-market BEV adoption.

Dr. Ing. Peter Mertens has been appointed as the new Board of Management Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG. He was previously Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Car Corporation in Göteborg, Sweden.

Saying goodbye with a bang: Audi achieved an impressive one-two victory in the last race of its Le Mans prototypes in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). After clinching pole position in qualifying, the Audi R18 diesel hybrid sports car went on to claim a lights-to-flag victory in the 6 Hours of Bahrain. In addition, Lucas di Grassi set the fastest race lap. As a result, Audi has clinched the vice-championship titles in the manufacturers’ and drivers’ classifications.

AUDI AG sold more premium automobiles in October than one year ago. Compared with the same month in 2015, global deliveries increased by 1.2 percent to around 150,950 units. As such, the company has exceeded the 2015 figures every month in the year to date amid a challenging environment. In October, Audi defied the negative market trend in the USA achieving growth for the 70th month in a row; high increases in Canada (+10%) confirmed the successful sales performance in North America. Worldwide, the brand with the Four Rings increased its sales by 4.2 percent since January to around 1,559,750 cars.

The Audi Q2* and the Audi A5 Coupé* both finished triumphantly in the 2016 Golden Steering Wheel awards. The premium carmaker from Ingolstadt won in both the “Compact SUV” and “Sports Car” categories. Together with an international panel of experts, readers of “Auto Bild” magazine and the “Bild am Sonntag” newspaper selected the best automotive newcomers of the year. The prize, among the most coveted honors in the automotive industry throughout Europe, is being presented tonight at the Axel-Springer-Haus in Berlin.

Stable operating business and extended provisions for the V6 3.0 TDI diesel issue: The Audi Group succeeded in increasing its deliveries and revenue in the first three quarters of the fiscal year, while operating profit is well down on the prior year figure mainly due to special items. The operating return on sales after nine months is 6.9 percent, or 8.9 percent before special items.

Audi is realigning its motorsport strategy. The premium brand will terminate its FIA WEC commitment, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at the end of the 2016 season. Instead Audi is taking up a factory-backed commitment in the all-electric Formula E racing series.

“Data drives our production – you innovate from our data” is the motto of the Smart Factory Hackathon, which was held at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt from October 19 to 21. Talented young data-science specialists from the fields of IT, mathematics and engineering developed innovative software solutions for the factory of the future, based on genuine but anonymized data sets from Audi’s production. On Friday afternoon, the winners of the IT competition were awarded their prizes: The “Happy Unicorns” team won first prize with its idea on the subject of container management.

Twelve months after the launch of the “Digital Motorway Test Bed,” Audi is today presenting new technologies for piloted driving and Car-to-X-communication at the German Federal Ministry of Transport. The focus is on online variable message road signs and infrastructure measures. On the A9 between Nuremberg and Munich, the Ingolstadt premium manufacturer is testing solutions aimed at delivering enhanced safety and convenience in piloted driving in real traffic conditions.

Audi secured two of the three DTM titles in the finale at Hockenheim. For the third time, Audi is DTM manufacturers’ champion and for the fourth time, Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline is teams’ champion. In spite of his fifth victory this season, Audi campaigner Edoardo Mortara in the Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM missed the drivers’ title by a very narrow four-point margin.

AUDI AG closed the first three quarters with growth despite the difficult market environment: In September, the brand increased its deliveries by 1.7 percent to around 173,850 units compared with the strong prior-year month. Demand especially in Europe (+6.3%) and North America (+4.1%) played its part in the positive sales balance. Within the product portfolio, the compact Audi models in particular were very popular. Combined sales of the Audi A3 and Q3 increased by 16 percent in the month. Since January, the manufacturer delivered around 1,408,800 automobiles across all models to customers, an increase of 4.5 percent.

Audi is further expanding its worldwide production network and thus continuing along its path of global growth. This Friday, the Audi Board of Management opened the company’s first automobile plant on the North American continent. Starting now, the brand with the Four Rings will produce the new generation of the Audi Q5* for the world market in San José Chiapa in Mexico’s federal state of Puebla. The plant has an annual production capacity of approximately 150,000 premium SUVs. By the end of the year, a total of 4,200 jobs will be created locally at Audi México.

Audi presents another successful model: Sales for the second generation of the Audi Q5* begin at the start of 2017. The SUV with the four rings combines the sportiness of an Audi saloon with a multifaceted character and a highly flexible interior. Whether in its connectivity, efficiency or driver assistance systems – the new Audi Q5 once again sets standards in its segment.

Audi is taking the wraps off a glittering array of new products at the motor show in Paris. Sporty, efficient, stylish and with high everyday usability – it has the right offering for every customers. The Ingolstadt carmaker is showing the new Audi Q5* and the new Audi RS 3 Sedan to an international audience for the very first time. Other models in the limelight include the Audi A5* and Audi S5 Sportback*, flanked by an array of other models from the brand with the four rings.

Today AUDI AG, BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ericsson, Huawei, Intel, Nokia and Qualcomm Incorporated, announce the formation of the “5G Automotive Association”. The association will develop, test and promote communications solutions, support standardization and accelerate commercial availability and global market penetration. The goal is to address society’s connected mobility and road safety needs with applications such as connected automated driving, ubiquitous access to services and integration into smart cities and intelligent transportation.

39,500 spectators (throughout the weekend) witnessed a strong performance by the Audi squad in positions one to six on Saturday and a one-two result on Sunday. Following the exclusion of Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes-Benz) and Marco Wittmann (BMW) from the classification, two Audi drivers – Edoardo Mortara and Jamie Green – before the finale at Hockenheim still have chances of clinching the drivers’ title. In the manufacturers’ and teams’ classifications, Audi clearly ranks at the top. Quotes following the DTM’s visit to Hungary.

With the TT S line competition*, Audi brings the sporty character of the TT Coupé* and TT Roadster* even more to the fore. The special model includes an array of striking details for the exterior and interior – from the fixed rear wing to the Audi virtual cockpit with sport screen. The special edition will be available from the end of 2016.

Audi has put a new topcoat paint shop into operation at its plant in Ingolstadt. Board of Management Member for Production Prof. Dr. Hubert Waltl opened the 12,000 square meter building (129,000 sq. ft.) on Tuesday together with Plant Director Albert Mayer and Group Works Council Chairman Peter Mosch. Up to 900 car bodies a day can be painted there on three floors. Thanks to environmentally friendly technology, the modern application equipment will conserve resources. Ergonomically designed workplaces will make the employees’ work easier.

Audi makes its bestselling Q3* even more attractive. New details in the exterior design more sharply differentiate the design and sport trim lines as well as the S line exterior package. The Audi Q3 S line competition augments the lineup with a sporty new special edition. Start of sales is scheduled for fall 2016.

AUDI AG delivered around 132,350 cars to customers in August. As such, global sales exceeded the prior-year month by 2.9 percent. Most recently, the demand for automobiles with the Four Rings developed positively especially in China (+8.8%), the United Kingdom (+13.2%) and Spain (+23.3%). By contrast, weaker conditions of some markets in South America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East were also reflected in Audi’s sales balance. Cumulative global sales increased by 4.9 percent since January to around 1,234,900 cars and are up in all the brand’s core regions: in Europe (+7.4%), Asia-Pacific (+3.8%) and North America (+5.2%).

72,500 spectators experienced a tremendous anniversary weekend of the DTM at the Nürburgring that ended on Sunday in an Audi show, with Edoardo Mortara clinching his third victory this season in the Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM. The victory in the DTM’s 50th visit to the Nürburgring also marked the 50th triumph of Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline that brought all four cars into the points on Sunday.

Audi is strengthening the digital footprint of the brand in its largest global market. Audi China and the brand’s joint venture FAW-Volkswagen signed tripartite memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent respectively. The partners will deepen their cooperation in the areas of data analysis, internet-vehicle platform building and urban intelligent transport.