35 Audi dealers nationwide excelled last year, earning themselves a Magna Society award for 2008.
Audi created the Magna Society to recognize U.S. dealerships that stand out as the best. To qualify, dealerships must demonstrate a solid financial foundation, merit high customer satisfaction scores and show their facilities and staffs represent the progressive Audi culture.
Reinhard Fischer of Audi of America said: ‘This is far more than a sales contest. It is a broad-based measurement of dealers leading the way in firmly establishing that the Audi experience is a superior experience for American luxury car buyers.’
The annual Magna Society awards thus mesh with plans established by Audi and its franchise partners to make Audi facilities more exclusive.
Since 2002, the number of exclusive Audi dealerships has increased a remarkable 70% to 126 out of 270 overall in the U.S.
Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America added: ‘Commitment like this from dealers shows the excitement generated by the Audi brand and the collection of exceptional motor cars Audi has been introducing in recent years. It is the basis for a very bright future for Audi, its dealer partners and, most of all, customers.’
On July 16th 2009 Audi will be celebrating its 100th birthday, a memorial service will be held at Ingolstadt, Germany, the company’s home town, and besides this celebration Audi has scheduled more than 50 events to take place around the world.
Especially significant events in Audis centenary year will be a special appearance of Audi as a feature marquee at the Goodwood Festival of Speed which we mentioned earlier where Audi fans will see some racing legends in action such as the Auto Union Type C (1936) and Type D (1938) Silver Arrows, the legendary Audi Pikes Peak (1987) as well Le Mans winners Audi R8 and R10 and on August 21 Audi will participate in a recreation of a momentous Grand Prix in Berne, Switzerland.
But without a doubt the most anticipated celebration will be on July 16th the exact day that Audi will turn 100 years old. There has been a lot of buzz about this date and it is rumored that there will be an announcement of a brand new model, that will be unveiled in front of those present at the event, which will include Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany.
Nothing has been revealed about this mysterious Audi new model, not even to us here at Audi Nationwide nor any other Authorized Audi Dealer around the globe, the matter is being dealt as a top secret project that only the senior management of Audi AG has access to.
So why not put our imagination to work and try to guess what will this new model look like? Leave your guesses in our comments section.
The Audi A4 has been voted company car of the year by the readers of Fleet News Magazine at the 2009 Fleet News Awards held in London a few days ago.
What is so special about the Fleet News Awards is that it provides real insight into costumers preferences as it is voted by Fleet Magazine readers. The awards reflects the growing popularity of the Audi A4 among the business community thanks to its cost effectiveness, The Audi A4 was also won an award as the Best Large Premium Car.
Hundreds of fleet managers added their votes online to a jury formed by industry experts chaired by former Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chairman Christopher Macgowan and in the latest issue of Fleet News the panel published and explanation of its decision:
“The Audi A4 was a clear winner with Fleet News readers. They obviously agree with the Awards judging panel, recognizing the A4’s talents. The new model gains extra interior room over its predecessor has improved residual values and therefore lower whole life costs, while retaining the huge choice of models available – saloon, Avant, front or four-wheel-drive, and a wide choice of engine and gearbox options.”
Head of Audi fleets sales Iain Carmichael was presented with the awards during a ceremony held at the London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on March 18th, and said:
“It’s always great to win awards, but there’s one thing that makes the Company Car of The Year award really special – it’s voted for by the readers of Fleet News. The fact that they have voted for the A4 reflects the fantastic work being done by Audi Centres in providing customers with great cars and outstanding service.”
To find out more about Audi A4 Contract Hire and Audi A4 lease options contact Audi Nationwide.
Yesterday the 2009 Budget was presented, amongst many schemes to help the economy get back on the right tracks, the government also announced a car scrappage scheme to boost the automotive industry.
Here at Audi we fully support this scheme, the idea of replacing older cars with safer, more economical and environmentally friendly models is simply brilliant, the government hasn’t formulated all the details on the scrappage scheme, but if you have interest in this scrappage incentive scheme you can register here and Audi.co.uk will directly contact you with more details as soon as they are available.
Here is a quote from the Chancellor’s speech where he mentions the new vehicle car scrappage scheme:
“I also want to help the UK’s automotive industry, which has been one of the British success stories of the last decade. But the loss of consumer confidence and credit crunch has led to a sharp fall in vehicle sales around the world. In order to help the car industry and retail trade, I can announce that a scrapage scheme will be implemented next month. It will provide motorists with a £2,000 discount on new vehicles bought when they trade in cars over ten years old. It will be a time-limited scheme until March 2010. My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Business (Peter Mandelson) will announce details shortly.”
If you were looking for a reason to purchase a New Audi, now you have one.
The SEAT in Martorell, Spain will be the production site for the new Audi Q3. Manufacture will begin in 2011 with an annual production capacity of up to 80,000 units.
Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG, said: ‘This decision enables Audi to continue its strategy of growth and internationalization. Following in-depth consideration of all relevant factors and an extensive international comparison of various sites, we selected Martorell.’
He added: ‘We are counting on this Spanish site’s efficiency, the excellent quality of the Production department, and its highly trained staff. We will use the Group’s synergies to sharpen our competitive edge and help protect around 1,200 jobs. The decision furthermore safeguards workplaces at other Audi locations.’
Due to the Audi Q3 being manufactured in Spain, a decision about production in the USA has been postponed.
Mr. Stadler said: ‘We will systematically explore our options in the context of the current market crisis. Audi is in a good position. There is currently no urgent need to select additional sites.’
The Q3 will blend a compact car design and driving dynamics with an SUV’s spaciousness and versatility.
The market launch of the Audi Q3 is scheduled for 2011.
The new 2009 Audi Q7 arrives this summer, with styling modifications and mechanical enhancements such as the incorporation of an ultra-low emission system for the 09 Audi Q7 TDI models, the Audi Q7 luxury all-terrain SUV is available to order with prices starting at £38,575 OTR.
No major modifications have been made to the 2009 Audi Q7 on the outside apart from a redesigned front grille, restyled bumpers with incorporated under-body protectors and LED rear lights. Audi Q7 SE models are enhanced with larger 19 inch alloy wheels and the Audi Q7 S line models with LED indicators and new U-shaped ‘wraparound’ LED daytime running lights built into standard xenon headlamps.
It is under the bonnet where Audi put most of its efforts in the new 2009 Audi Q7, the new 3.0litre TDI engine is already compliant to EU6 emissions applicable from 2014 thanks to Audi’s clean diesel technology which uses new additive called AdBlue, this additive neutralizes all harmful nitrous oxide from emissions. All the other engines including the 3.0litre TDI were enhanced with a new energy recovery system that will help reduce CO2 emissions by 5g/km. Basically what it does is convert mechanical energy from braking and coasting phases into electrical energy via the alternator and stores it in the battery reducing load on the engine.
The new high-tech Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro with its new clean diesel technology and the energy recovery technology can achieve a fuel economy of up to 31,7mpg in a combined cycle, other engines are also benefiting from the energy recovery technology, the 4.2 TDI engine had an improvement in fuel economy of 3mpg jumping from 25,5mpg to 28,5mpg. More powerful engines like the 6-litre TDI V12 also have respectable fuel economy, despite the 493 Bhp (500 PS) of power the Audi Q7 V12 has a fuel economy of 25mpg. The petrol engines also have good fuel economy, with the 3.6 FSI V6 registering 23.3mpg, and the 4.2 FSI 22.2mpg.
In total there are 6 engines to choose from in the Updated 2009 Audi Q7 range all with a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, quattro permanent four-wheel-drive and the 40% / 60% torque split for optimum on road-balance.
For more information on prices and to order your new Audi Q7 contact Essex Audi for Audi Q7 leasing contact Audi Nationwide.
Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI 1.4..£322 a month http://tinyurl.com/chjv42
Audi and the automotive industry are celebrating a very important year, as on the 16th of July 2009 Audi celebrates its 100th birthday and as we reported earlier this year Audi has planned centenary celebrations for the whole year in its 2009 event calendar.
As part of the Audi countdown to their one hundredth birthday, Audi is inviting everyone to take part in the Audi centenary celebrations by participating on a free raffle that will hand out as a top prize a brand new Audi A5 coupe.
Second prize is a trip for 2 to Finland where you will experience the exclusive Audi Driving Experience in an Audi A4 quattro and third prize is a high quality premium mechanical watch made by one of Audi’s leading designers with Audi’s unique square chronograph design.
To take part in this raffle all you have to do is register and stay tuned for the bonus questions released every week, by answering them correctly you accumulate bonuses to increase your chance of winning. Once you register you have the option to receive the questions in your mailbox as soon as they are released.
The draw will take place on the 16th of July at noon CET. Good luck everyone!!
Audi is a leading manufacturer of clean diesel cars, with its award wining TDI technology. Audi proves that it is possible to combine high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions in a SUV/FWD without having to sacrifice performance.
As a leading example of a Green SUV the Audi Q7 TDI is a perfect example of this world leading technology, combining efficiency, performance and luxury the Audi Q7 TDI has 30% better fuel economy than any petrol engine on the market today, with a 20mpg (US gallons) fuel efficiency on a combined cycle
Audi’s advanced clean diesel technology with its advanced exhaust emission control system that reduces smog-causing nitrogen oxides by up to 90% when compared to older diesel technologies, this allows the 3.0L V6 engine in the new Q7 TDI to produce 25% less CO2 than any other petrol engine of the same capacity.
What is really exciting about the new Audi Q7 is that with all the fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions its engine produces 50% more torque when compared to other petrol engines with a towing capacity of 6,600lb/3000kg.
Audi’s clean diesel technology makes the Audi Q7 the world’s cleanest green SUV.
The premium quality of an Audi car also pays off for their consumers when it comes to insurance costs.
The German Insurance Association GDV has again given the entire Audi model range especially favorable ratings in the full-coverage category.
The best ratings went to Audi models A3, Audi TT, A6 and A8, which received the most economical insurance classifications in the premium segment. But most of the engine versions of the other Audi models also achieved especially economical ratings.
Audi customers save a lot compared to owners of competing cars, because Audi cars are usually rated one to two categories cheaper. Over 80% of the 129 different versions offered in total by Audi have the best full-coverage rating compared with their premium competitors.
The owner’s driving style is not the only factor when it comes to the insurance rating. The intelligent design of the car, which ensures optimal crash characteristics, is also important.
After all, the less damage done to a car, the less that will have to be paid out in terms of insurance costs.