Audi EV deliveries increase by 57.5%

AUDI increased deliveries of fully electric models by 57.5 per cent and sold over 1.68 million units last year. The German marque recorded five per cent growth in the crucial United States market but fell slightly in Europe and China, where sales were down 0.4 and 3.6 per cent respectively.

Audi AG member of the board of management for sales and marketing Hildegard Wortmann said the company had been on track to break records in the first half of 2021, but was stymied by persistent semiconductor shortages that took effect during the second half of the year.

Ms Wortmann said the poor availability of semiconductors reduced output by 34.2 per cent in the final quarter of 2021 compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.

Despite the challenges, Audi finished the year with global sales almost equal to those of 2020; its all-electric range showing particularly strong growth by increasing 57.5 per cent to 81,894 units.

Audi plans to have more than 20 battery electric models in its portfolio by 2025.

"The year 2021 was challenging, but with our worldwide team's engaged effort, we very successfully overcame them," Ms Wortmann said.

"We're looking to the future with confidence. With 'Vorsprung 2030,' we have defined a clear strategy – our courage to make lasting changes is being rewarded: high demand for electric vehicles from Audi confirms our early decision in favour of zero-emission drive systems. 

“We are taking this momentum with us into 2022 and systematically pressing ahead with our transformation. The large number of incoming orders also shows that we have the right portfolio," she added.

Audi attributes its EV sales increase to the presentation of its e-tron GT1 and RS e-tron GT2 early in 2021, saying the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron also played “a central role” in its electrification strategy.

Ms Wortmann said Audi’s commitment to electric mobility was apparent in its capital expenditure planning. Based on approved plans at the end of 2021, the company will spend around €18 billion ($A28.3 billion) on electrification and hybridisation between 2022 and 2026. The figure represents almost half on the group’s total investments over the next four years.

“Although the semiconductor supply will continue to be strained in the coming months, the strong growth in electric model deliveries gives us a tailwind to stick to our roadmap,” Ms Wortmann added. 

“The high volume of incoming orders as well as the highest-ever order backlog show that we have the right portfolio.”

Conventionally powered models also showed growth globally for Audi in 2021. The Q3 SUV led the charge (+19.2%) ahead of the A7 (+9.2%), A5 (+8.3%) and Q5 and Q7 (+5.3%) variants. Audi Sport models jumped an impressive 34.2 per cent, setting a record of 39,356 global unit sales. 

In China, Audi ended 2021 with sales of 701,289 vehicles (-3.6%), imported models increasing in demand as the country faced production setbacks linked to the global semiconductor shortage.

Key Chinese model sales include the A5 (+96.7%), Q7 (+74.4%) and e-tron (+68.7%). Audi Sport model sales more than doubled (+113.4%) year on year.

Audi sales increased in the US by five per cent to 196,038 in 2021 with electric vehicle sales increasing by a significant 52.5 per cent over the previous year. 

Key US market models include the e-tron (+34.6%), Q3 (+26.5%) and Q5 (+19.6%). Audi Sport model sales also increased stateside, up by 60.5 per cent to 7796 units – a new record for the four-ring brand.

Sales were down slightly in Europe, falling 0.4 per cent to 617,048. German sales dropped 15.6 per cent while those in France, Italy and the UK increased by 10.2, 9.9 and 9.4 per cent respectively. 

Across its 31 European markets, Audi reported positive sales performance for models including the Q5 (+18.5%), Q3 (+5.6%), A3 (+3.6%) and Q8 (+1.8%).

Closer to home, Audi Australia sold a total of 16,003 units locally in 2021, which was slightly higher (by 135 units or 0.9%) on the previous year. The importer’s best sellers for the 2020 calendar year included the Q3 (5707 units), Q5 (3604), Q7 (1646) and Q2 (1621).

Locally, Audi’s sales fell behind those of premium rivals such as BMW (24,891) and Mercedes-Benz (28,348), but outpaced those of Lexus (9290), Volvo (9028) and newcomer Genesis (734).