AUDI AG: Sales growth in October

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Audi China Business To Be Headquartered In Beijing

A German newspaper reported that the would-be plant construction is an important measure for Audi to expand business in the Chinese market. Audi China to be established will explore new business independently, including sourcing in China and building a test centre particularly for the Chinese market.

Audi president Rupert Stadler indicated that new Audi China division will be closer to the Chinese market and help with local production of Audi A3, which will share the platform with the upcoming sixth-generation VW Golf.

Last May, Rupert Stadler announced the code-named "Route 15" plan, which aimed to sell 1.5 million Audis by 2015, over BMW and Mercedes-Benz to be the number one luxury brand. Audi China sales will target 200,000 units by then, almost double than 100,888 in 2007.

By 2015, the Audi models will be added up to 40, most of which will also be introduced to China as it is the largest overseas market for Audi. "To meet 200,000 sales by 2015 is achievable," said Johannes Thammer, general manager of FAW-VW Audi sales division.

Also optimistic about the Chinese market is Voggenreiter, who said Audi sales forecast in China hasn't decreased though faced with financial crisis.

-Source: The Auto Channel

Audi R4 Unleashed

Once again Porsche & Audi have collabed again producing the baby R8, the Audi R4. The chassis will be in the R4 and the upcoming Porsche Boxster/Cayman vehicles also. Weight reduction with aluminum body paneling and Audis newer 40/60 torque split should make this a thrill to drive considering the engine options. Even though Audi has stated it will do away with manual gearboxes this should be availble with Audi's 6 Speed gearbox and a 7 speed DSG option.

Possible Engines:

• 335bhp 2.5 litre TFSI 5 cylinder
  
• 200bhp 2.0 litre TFSI 4 cylinder
  
• 300bhp 3.6 litre FSI V6
• 225bhp 2.0 litre TDI common rail injection 4 cylinder
  

Audi R8 V10

Looks like Audi is letting the R8 compete with Lamborghini, the new R10 as I like to call it, 5.2 litre V10 552bhp. Rumour abroad only 50! headed for US since Audi is producing 50 a month of the base R8's. I haven't been able to confirm the quantity headed to our shores.

New Audi A8 artist renderings

Audi gives go ahead for A3 Diesel plans

What is unknown is if they will bring the A3 3 door hatch version and offer a Quattro 6speed gearbox which I personally think would sell way better than the 4door. But there is a solid yes for the A3 Sportback FWD 6Speed DSG dogbox. Expect to see it on our shores within the next year.

Frank Biela Interview

The B5 A4 to me is still the best platform Audi everhad and still continues this day as a streetfighter across America and Europe. I myself have owned a B5 and B6 and loved them, and I still love how easy it is to modify them with the plethora of parts available from tuners everywhere. I ran across this on my way out Enjoy.

Audi Among German Companies Hit by Labor Strikes

Audi the luxury-car brand of Volkswagen was among German companies affected by strikes after the IG Metall labor union failed to reach agreement with employers over pay.

About 5,000 staff at Audi's Ingolstadt and Neckersulm plants stopped working for as much as two hours, the union said in separate e-mailed statements today. About 8,000 manufacturing workers downed tools across Germany today, the union added on its website.

IG Metall, representing 3.2 million employees, is pressing for an 8 percent pay rise next year. The union last week rejected a counteroffer from the Gesamtmetall employers' association for a one-time payment this year and a 2.1 percent increase in 2009.

Strikes will continue on Nov. 3 at E.G.O. Blanc und Fischer & Co. GmbH, which makes parts for appliances, Zehnder Group AG, General Electric Co.'s health-care unit, MSC Freiburg GmbH, Ferromatik Milacron Maschinenbau GmbH and Sick AG, IG Metall said. At least 18 production sites will be affected, it said.

The engineering sector employers' group, Gesamtmetall, offered workers a 2.9 percent wage offer over 14 months on Thursday, which IG Metall has rejected.

"This bad offer is an insult," IG Metall's deputy chairman, Detlef Wetzel, said in a statement. "On this basis, a quick solution is not possible."

The rise sought by IG Metall, which is seeking a deal for the 3.6 million workers in the engineering sector, is the biggest wage hike it has sought in 16 years.

The union is due to resume wage negotiations with Gesamtmetall on Nov. 11 in the southern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, where agreements often serve as pilot deals for the engineering sector nationwide.

Negotiators will resume talks in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Nov. 13, which has previously also produced pilot deals. If no deal is reach at the next round of talks, IG Metall has vowed to stage full-blown strikes to press its case.

-Source:Bloomberg

Audi Announces TT-S Pricing

MSRP for the TT-S Coupe will start at $45,500 and $47,500 for the TT-S Roadster.



The 2.0 litre FSI engine will have 265 hp @ 6000 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. @2500-5000 rpm.
Judging by this pricing the newer TT-RS Coupe might not make it here and ft it does, will face the same dilemma Audi faced in which to bring the Audi S3 over or not.

Judging from Market conditions the TT-RS will probably face the same demise of the RS6.

Finally a pic of Audis new UP! Concept Metrocar

Two engines are being developed right now for this platform a diesel and petrol version. It is unknown if Audi plans to bring the supersubcompact to the US with the A1 Metro expecting to be a Mini Contender, the UP! Market would be against the ubersmall Smart ForFour now on sale in the US. While the Smart only gets 34mpg the rumour is the UP! choices of engine are trying to eye a conservative 95mpg.