Audi global sales dip 0.7 percent in 2021

The manufacturer had to face production cuts due to the chip crisis, but witnessed a huge demand for its EVs.

Published On Jan 17, 2022 09:00:00 AM

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Audi sales dropped by 0.7 percent last year as the firm was hindered by semiconductor supply issues, but sales were bolstered by the success of its EVs.

Chip crisis hampered local production in China
EV sales witnessed a 57.5 percent growth
Audi’s largest sales drop was in China

The manufacturer achieved record-breaking deliveries in the first half of last year before suffering a significant 34.2 percent drop-off, selling a total of 16,80,512 cars by the end of the year.

Chip crisis hits production

Audi confirmed that the chip crisis hampered local production in China, while the impacts caused by the reduction in VAT in Europe was “noticeable”. It also claimed to have its “highest order backlog ever”, with a “high volume of incoming orders”.

Audi didn't say which models had the biggest backlog worldwide, but told our sister publication Autocar UK that the Q4 e-tron and A3 were “by far and away the most in demand” models in the UK.

“The year 2021 was challenging, but with our worldwide team’s engaged effort, we very successfully overcame them,” said Hildegard Wortmann, Audi’s board member for sales. “We’re looking to the future with confidence.”

“High demand for electric vehicles from Audi confirms our early decision in favour of zero-emissions drive systems. We’re 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.

EV sales increased over 50 percent

Despite the drop in worldwide sales, Audi’s EV range showed continued success. Around 4.8 percent of its total sales were electric, as it sold 81,894 EVs last year. That figure represents a 57.5 percent growth, with the Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback leading the way in terms of EV sales.

The Q3 achieved the biggest sales growth for a non-electric Audi, at 19.2 percent. The A7 gained 9.2 percent, and the A5 grew 8.3 percent, while the Q5 and Q7 showed that SUV options remain popular, with both growing 5.3 percent. The A3 was Audi’s bestseller in the UK last year, with 22,746 units.

Wortmann believes the chip crisis is likely to continue into the coming months. “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 unflinchingly to our roadmap,” she said.

Audi suffered its largest sales drop in China, selling 7,01,289 vehicles there – a drop of 3.6 percent after a record-breaking 2020. Meanwhile, sales in the US exceeded 2020 numbers by 5.0 percent, with a total of 1,96,038 cars sold. Audi delivered 6,17,048 new vehicles in Europe, achieving growth in 31 markets.

Audi sales in India

Audi managed to double its sales in 2021, by managing to sell 3,293 cars, although it was on a low 2020 base. This marked a 101 percent increase in sales for the brand.

What are your thoughts on Audi's sales acheivements for 2021? Let us know in the comments below.

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