Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of AUDI AG: “Logical expansion of production network”

At the 124th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of AUDI AG in Neckarsulm, Board of Management Chairman (CEO) Rupert Stadler stated: “We are now in a crucial phase, because we are positioning Audi for the next surge of growth.” By 2015, Audi will implement the biggest investment program in the company’s history, with a total volume of approximately €11 billion. Nearly half of that amount, €5.3 billion, will be applied to strengthen and expand the German plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

Before some 600 guests in Neckarsulm today, the Audi Board of Management explained to the shareholders all of the key financial metrics of the past financial year. Despite the difficult situation of the world economy, Board of Management Chairman Stadler also affirmed the Group’s goal for 2013: “We intend to continue our growth this year and we are sure that we will do so.”

The number of cars delivered from January through April is on the right track. Since the beginning of the year, a total of approximately 503,000 customers have decided in favor of an Audi – an increase of 6.7 percent. In other words, the Audi has for the first time passed the 500,000 mark after just four months. Especially the new A3 family and the SUV models Q3, Q5 and Q7 provided additional impetus here.

For the full year, Audi plans to increase its unit sales once again compared with record year 2012. As a result of the increased sales volume, the Audi Group also anticipates slight revenue growth. Despite higher expenditure for new products and the expansion of the worldwide production network, Board of Management Member for Finance Axel Strotbek emphasized the return target during the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting: “We should achieve an operating return on sales at the top end of our target corridor of eight to ten percent.”

Audi intends to continue its success story at full speed. This is to be assisted by the new Audi models A3 and A3 Sportback as well as the Q3. Growth will be additionally stimulated by the new A3 Sedan, which will roll off the assembly lines in Győr, Hungary, in June.

Audi is taking an important step with the expansion of the Győr facility into a fully fledged car plant and the production start of the A3 Sedan. The company is consistently positioning its production network for the upcoming growth. The next milestone is to be achieved in Foshan in southern China in late 2013. Together with its joint-venture partner FAW, Audi is investing in a new plant there. At the same time, construction work is starting in Mexico. As of mid-2016, Audi will produce the Q5 model in San José Chiapa.

In order to meet all of its targets, Audi places high priority on having highly qualified employees. For the year 2013, AUDI AG plans to recruit 1,500 new employees in Germany alone. Furthermore, approximately 700 young people will begin their occupational training at Audi.

During the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, AUDI AG also presented its Corporate Responsibility Report 2012 to the shareholders. In this report, the company reports on its objectives and activities in the field of sustainability. Audi wants to lead the way not only economically, but also ecologically and socially. The entire Group assumes responsibility in the five core areas of business, products, environment, workforce and society.