Audi increases sales by 17% to 1.9 million cars

German car manufacturer Audi increased its sales last year by 17%, selling 1.9 million cars off the back of strong sales growth in Europe, the US and China, sales chief Hildegard Wortmann said on Thursday, reported dpa.

The share of all-electric vehicles in total sales was only 9%. The fourth electric model is due to be launched by Audi in March.

Audi boss Gernot Döllner said the high demand provides a strong base for a challenging year with increased competition and global economic uncertainty.

Audi's focus lies on electric mobility and the profitability of the cars, he said.

The next important step is the launch of the Q6 E-Tron SUV, which is based on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) developed together with Porsche.

In 2023, Audi delivered 178,000 fully electric cars accounting for a 51% increase compared to the previous year.

The Volkswagen subsidiary wants to strengthen its range of e-cars, combustion engines and plug-in hybrids with various new models in 2024 and 2025.

In Europe, Audi sales increased by 20% to 748,000, in China by 13% to 729,000 cars.

In the US, the company achieved its best sales year yet, with a 22% growth to 229,000 cars.

The company's board plans to publish the financial figures for the past year on March 19.

Audi had targeted sales of 1.8 million to 1.9 million cars, an increase in turnover to €69-72 billion ($76-79 billion) and a 9% return on sales.

Competitor BMW increased its sales last year by 6.5% to around 2.555 million cars. Sales of all-electric cars increased by 74% to 376,000 vehicles or 15% of total sales.

Mercedes-Benz has not yet published its sales figures.