Audi to cross this year sales target; launches new A8-L

Despite the gloomy picture on the automart, the luxury car-maker Audi India, which today launched the new A8-L sedan for Rs 1.075 crore and upwards, said it hopes to cross its sales target this year.

"We started the year on favourable economic conditions. We set a target of 8,000 units, but in the January-July period itself, we sold 4,680 units, a growth of 49% over the same period last year.

"This way, we are hopeful of over-shooting the target," Audi India head Michael Perschke said after launching the A8-L.

Pershcke also said Audi now plans to produce its Q7 model in India and the board is expected to take a decision shortly on producing Q3 here as well.

It can be noted that the luxury car market has not growing around 25% this year, and the two traditional German brands- BMW and Merc are reporting near flat sales. But Audi has been reporting healthy numbers month after month.

Equipped with a powerful V8 4.2 TDI engine, the new sedan joins the A8-L family comprising V6, V8 and W12.

"After the overwhelming response to the high-tech Audi A8-L here, we have launched a new variant with a powerful diesel engine. The car symbolises true luxe mobility with its opulence, sophistication and aspirational values," Audi India head Michael Perschke said.

Though Perschke admitted that both the domestic and global economic uncertainties are holding back customers in general and luxury cars in particular, he said despite these adverse market condition Audi has been able to not only post a good growth but has also continued significantly in the luxury car segment in the country.

Audi India may overshoot its target of selling 8,000 units this year on the back of strong demand for its products, he said, adding In July, it sold 680 units, clocking a strong 96% growth.