Audi had its best August ever in terms of US sales.
The 11,527 vehicles sold represent a 13-percent increase over August 2011 and the 20th consecutive month of record US sales. Of last month's sales, Audi's premium models - the A8, A7, and A6 - accounted for 32 percent, seeing a 61-percent increase. Audi, which has significantly stepped up its efforts to take on Mercedes and BMW in the global luxury car market, points to this figure as evidence that its profile is indeed on the rise.
The A7 sold just one more unit than the 703 sold last August, but year-to-date sales for the model - at 5,531 - are 62.5 percent higher than last year. The A8 sold 470 units last month, a 0.4-percent increase over August of last year. Year-to-date sales, however, are 9.3 percent lower, with 3,419 sold.
The A6 sold particularly well, experiencing a 58.6-percent increase for the year (with 1,569 units sold) and a 112.3-percent increase year-to-date (with 11,844 sold). Sales of the A4 were 21.5 percent higher than in last August (with 3,187 sold), and 6.3 percent higher year-to-date (25,195 sold). The A5 sold 26.9 percent more for the month (1,677 units) and 9.1 percent more year-to-date (11,411 units).
The Q7's sales increased 32.1 percent over August of 2011, with 951 sold. Year-to-date sales for the SUV are at 6,291, a 1.1-percent increase over the previous year. The Q5's sales were 12.8 percent lower than in last August; though, with 2007 sold, they still accounted for a significant portion of total sales. Year-to-date sales for the model are 15 percent higher than for the same period in 2011, with 15,336 sold so far this year.
As with the A8, the performances of Audi's R8 calls into question the assertion that its premium market is on the rise. The R8, which has a starting price of $114,200, sold just 46 in August, a 42.5-percent decrease from last August; and its 604 sales so far this year represent a 20.7-percent decrease from the same period last year.
Audi's TT coupe also saw a sales drop last month. Its 201 units were a 13-percent decrease from August of 2011; though sales so far this year are 1,512, a 4.1-percent increase year-to-date.
But, of course, Audi has reason to be happy with its numbers.
"Audi momentum in the US continues unabated. Twenty consecutive months of record sales proves that the brand is on track to deliver another chart topping year," Mark Del Rosso, Audi of America's COO, said in a statement. "Looking ahead, the Audi story will only improve with the introduction of the S6, S7 and S8 premium performance models."
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