The Audi Group continues to pursue its strategic goals systematically. The company delivered a strong set of figures for fiscal 2013: With around 1.575 million cars of the Audi brand delivered, the Ingolstadt carmaker achieved new record sales and reached the target that it had set itself for 2015 – more than 1.5 million deliveries – two years earlier than planned. Meanwhile the Audi Group increased its revenue to € 49.9 billion and again achieved an operating profit of more than €5 billion. The operating return on sales for 2013 as a whole came to 10.1 percent, which is slightly above the strategic target corridor of eight to ten percent. The company intends to maintain its growth in future, and between now and 2018 will be investing around €22 billion in innovations and new technologies as well as in expanding its worldwide manufacturing structures. In Germany alone, this year the brand with the four rings will be taking on 1,500 new employees and offering apprenticeships to 750 young people. At the annual press conference, held at its headquarters in Ingolstadt, the Board of Management of AUDI AG also gives its outlook for 2014. In front of more than 300 international journalists, Audi boss Rupert Stadler said: “2013 was an extraordinary year and we also remain on course for success in 2014. The past twelve months have seen us embark on a huge globalization drive in opening new plants in Hungary and China, as well as preparing for local production operations in Mexico and Brazil. The new A3 family is proving very popular with our customers, as are our SUV models in the Q car line.” The company successfully maintained its product initiative. Having launched 15 new models and derivative versions in 2013, the brand with the four rings will be launching 17 new cars in 2014 alone. Last year, Audi achieved a strong set of figures despite the overall decline in car sales in Europe: For example, the Company delivered 1,575,480 (2012: 1,455,123) cars of the Audi brand to customers worldwide – a year-on-year increase of 8.3 percent. — SG
