Audi India Reported A Double-Digit Increase In Sales After A Three-Year Decline

Audi, the German luxury manufacturer, has announced a 101 percent growth in its sales number, which is the highest since 2008. The company announced that it sold 3,293 cars in January-December 2021, which translates into a 101 percent year-on-year increase when compared to 2020.

In contrast, Audi's sales are still far below the 11,192 units it sold in 2011, which itself was a record. However, this is the first time in three years that the company's numbers have improved significantly.

In 2017, the company sold 7,876 units, in 2018, it sold 6,463, and in 2019, it sold 4,594 units. However, a significant improvement, this growth is on a low base for 2020.

The Coronavirus led pandemic severely affected Audi, as well as every other automaker in 2020. Their sales figure dived to 1,638 units. The company has also had a difficult time over the past few years due to stiff competition from Mercedes-Benz and BMW as well as a decision to move away from diesels after BS6 emission standards were rolled out.

Its parent company, Volkswagen, had been embroiled in the diesel gate scandal a year and a half ago, but it has been working on a new strategy ever since. It began rebuilding its vehicle line-up in 2020 and the exercise gained momentum last year when it launched a slew of products.

This boost in sales in 2021 is attributed to the introduction of five electric cars. Mainly, The credit goes to its electric cars section which includes - e-tron 50, e-tron 55, e-tron Sportback 55, e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT and the petrol powered Q-range along with A-sedans.

Other models, sedans A4 and A6 along with SUVs Q2, Q5 and Q8 remained volume sellers for the brand, while the RS and S performance cars continued strong demand and a good order bank for 2022. Audi Q2 is the top-selling model in December 2021.

In a statement, Audi India's Balbir Singh Dhillon said, "We are very happy with our performance in 2021 despite hitting roadblocks posed by the unfortunate second wave of the pandemic and other global issues like semiconductor, commodity prices, shipment challenges, etc."

He further said, "At over 101 per cent (growth), our sales have more than doubled compared to last year (2020), 2021 was a big year for us with nine new models launched, marking our entry into the Indian EV market with five electric car launches."

"2022 is going to be another power-packed year for Audi India. We will continue to focus on our 'Strategy 2025' that focuses on customer centricity, digitalisation, products and network."

“We have managed to script a U-turn, and the only way I see from here is upwards. The best part is that this growth came amidst the challenges of shortages of cars and the devastating second wave of coronavirus,” Dhillon stated.

Singh said that rather than focusing purely on volumes, the company is now targeting to drive sustainability in its operations and that of its business partners. “In 2021, we managed to launch nine new cars, which included five electrics under the eTron badge and the A4 sedan and Q5 SUV. This will be followed up with other models such as the Q7 and Q3 SUVs. This will help us post a double-digit growth even this year.”