Audi targets top-most position in the luxury segment in India

The Dollar Business Bureau

The German automaker Audi, has plans to launch 10 models including new models in India in 2017 in-order to regain its top position in the Indian luxury vehicles segment which was lost to Mercedes-Benz in 2015.

In India, Audi sold 10,851 units in 2014 and 11,192 units in 2015 whereas Mercedes-Benz India sold 10,201 units in 2014 and 13,231 units in 2015 surpassing Audi.

Audi a German automaker company manufactures and sells under the Volkswagen group.

Currently, in India, Audi has 40 dealerships in 11 states and two union territories. Its manufacturing unit is located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

The company manufactures and assembles Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi Q3, Audi Q5, Audi Q7 models in the country. The other models that are being imported are Audi A3, Audi S4, Audi S5, Audi A8, Audi RS5, Audi A7, Audi RS7, Audi TT, Audi R8, Audi Q2, Audi A5.

The head of Audi India Rahil Ansari declined to give a timeframe regarding the company regaining its top position in the Indian market.

Ansari said: "For 2017 there will be 10 new launches, out of which there will be a couple of products which haven't been introduced in the Indian market before." 

Audi's spokespersons were not available to confirm with regard to its launching and the number of models likely to be launched in India. In an interview to the press Rahil Ansari replied "We need to be number one again at some stage of time. It may not happen overnight but it can't take till 2030 either. What is important is that it has to be a sustainable business for all involved, including our dealer partners.”

It should be recalled that in 2013 in India, Audi acquired the top position from another German automaker, BMW, but lost its position to Mercedes-Benz in 2015.

Audi is yet to share its 2016 sales figures in India whereas the 2016 sales of Mercedes-Benz in India was 13,231 units while that of BMW was 5,861 units.

One of the milestones of Audi was when its A4 model was judged to be the best in the overall performance category in India in 2004. The German automaker is preparing to launch its new A3 sedan shortly.

The spokesperson of Audi revealed to the media that the company will be focusing on new products that are performance-oriented and lay more stress on the referral programmes for the existing Audi customers which could result in the company gaining back its top position in the luxury section in India.