Audi celebrates its 1,000,000th A3

Audi has recently finished producing its 1 millionth second generation A3, a model that has has been manufactured since early 2003. The car to hit the million mark was a 2.0-liter TDI A3 Sportback in Brilliant Red and is destined for a customer in Franconia, Germany. Audi's A3 model production started in 1997 and in total has made over 1.9 million first and second generation examples. Currently over 800 redesigned A3's are produced and shipped everyday to customers worldwide.

Much of Audi's recent financial growth can be attributed to entry-level and large volume models like the stylish A3 that give customers an intial stepping stone into the larger four-ringed family.

Audi's smallest offering is available to global markets with five different gasoline engine variations, in addition to three diesel power plants. US customers are limited to two gasoline powered engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder and a 3.2-liter V-6.

Future plans for the A3 model include a new European-only convertible version that will be manufactured this spring in Hungary.

Motortrend by Nate Martinez