Audi Sales Surge on Strong China Growth

Luxury carmaker Audi sold 17.1 percent more cars in August over last year on a 25.5 percent jump in China growth, as well as robust sales in its home market, the company said Thursday.

August China sales of 28,068 units made up over a quarter of total sales for the Audi group. In its home market of Germany sales rose 20.2 percent to 18,506 in August, prompting the group to raise its 2011 outlook.

In the first eight months of the year Audi’s group vehicle sales grew 17.4 percent on the strength of a 28.6 percent jump in China, a 22.2 percent surge in France and a 15.9 percent rise in its German home market.

The apparently insatiable quest for status and luxury by China’s wealthy have generally provided a boost to German premium auto brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz as well as Audi.