Audi confirms another 11 all-new models

Audi has announced it will add another 11 models to its range, increasing its number from 49 to 60 models.

CEO Rupert Stadler revealed the ambitious plans at a function held overnight in Ingolstadt to mark the sale of 1.5 million vehicles this year, doubling its global sales within a decade.

Audi sold around 769,900 cars in 2003 and is now targeting two million annual vehicle sales by 2020.

“Our whole team is making Audi history today: In 2005, we set ourselves a very ambitious goal and since then have sparked an unparalleled brand and model initiative,” said Stadler.

“We will continue to write this success story and expand our product range from the current 49 to 60 models. We see a great deal of potential, particularly in the SUV segment and in the especially prestigious full-size category.”

Audi last week confirmed it will introduce the new Q1 compact SUV by 2016 and could be inspired by the rapid growth in SUV sales to also produce Q2, Q4, Q6 and even Q8 crossover models.

Stadler's reference to the "prestigious full-size category" also raises the possibility of the long-rumored A9, which could be a large coupe or an ultra-luxury sedan.

“Today, we are reaching our intermediate target significantly earlier than planned, despite extremely challenging conditions in many markets,” said Audi sales chief Luca de Meo, who presented the 1.5 millionth Audi sold this year – an A3 Sportback – to its new German owner (pictured at right, with Stadler and de Meo).

“We are now setting our sights on the next target and are in a strong position to achieve the two million mark by 2020.”

Audi has posted record sales figures for 47 consecutive months (since January 2010) and is currently 7.4 per cent up on its previous year-to-date record set in 2012.

In Australia, Audi is eying its 10th consecutive year of sales growth in 2014, when it will put six new models into local showrooms.

Audi Australia is on target to top 16,000 sales this year – up more than 10 per cent on 2012 figures – putting it two years ahead of schedule.

Its 2009 ‘Route 15’ business plan sought to achieve annual sales of 15,000 units by 2015, meaning Audi has more than doubled its local sales since 2007, when it sold 7225 vehicles.

Fresh from launching its new A3 and S3 Sportback models, Audi will launch its all-new A3 sedan in January, followed by the all-new RS Q3 in March, the all-new S3 in April, facelifted A8 and S8 models by May, the new A3 Cabriolet in July and redesigned A4 later this year.

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