German automaker Audi AG delivered around 160,600 premium automobiles to customers worldwide in May, reflecting an increase of 0.7 per cent year-on-year.

Global deliveries since the start of the year of around 785,300 units were up 6.4 per cent on the 2017 figure. Audi generated further growth in China (+7.7 per cent), Asia-Pacific region (+9.3 per cent) and North America (+1.6 per cent) in May. In Europe, around 72,150 units represent a fall of 5.2 per cent. With more than 287,000 SUV models sold in the year to date, the Q family continues to provide important momentum.

Last week, the company presented its latest Q model at the Audi China Brand Summit in Shenzhen: the new Audi Q8.

“This premium SUV is a perfect addition to the full-size segment and is the next coup in our model initiative. Particularly in the core markets China and USA, the car will be an important sales driver and strengthen our market position,” says Bram Schot, board member for Sales and Marketing at Audi AG.

The Audi Q8 will go on sale from the third quarter in Europe, end of 2018 in the United States and in the first half of 2019 in China. With global growth of 10.9 per cent in the first five months, SUV models are the fastest-growing segment of the brand. Audi has sold around 287,500 Q models since January, with SUVs currently accounting for 36.6 per cent of sales. – TradeArabia News Service