2018 Global: Audi Sales Worldwide

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In 2018, Audi sales worldwide fell by 14% to 1,812,500 cars but reached a new record 663,000 in China, Audi’s biggest market.

In 2018, Audi delivered around 1,812,500 automobiles to customers worldwide, 3.5 percent less than a year ago. In Europe, sales fell 13.6 percent. In China, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker reaffirmed its position as the most successful premium brand for the 30st year in succession, although Mercedes-Benz is catching up fast. In North America, Audi sales were flat (-0.9%). Around 154,550 customers worldwide chose an Audi in December 2018, a decrease of 14.3 percent.

Audi Sales Worldwide by Region in 2018

Audi reported the following sale in major markets around the world in 2018:

20182017% Change
World1,812,5001,878,105-3.5%
Europe743,600860,624-13.6%
– Germany260,456294,544-11.6%
– UK143,716175,217-18.0%
– France51,71063,980-19.2%
– Italy62,25668,954-9.7%
– Spain53,10556,083-5.3%
United States223,323226,511-1.4%
Mexico14,78115,051-1.8%
Brazil8,81010,035-12.2%
Chinese mainland + Hong Kong663,049597,866+10.9%

Audi Sales in China in 2018 (Full Year)

In China, Audi once again closed the year with a new record-breaking figure, with 663,049 automobiles sold representing an increase of 10.9 percent. The sales volume has increased more than fivefold over the past ten years.

In 2018, the Four Rings saw demand soar for the locally produced premium models A4 L (+42.6% to 163,279 cars) and A3 (+12.7% to 91,173 cars) in particular. The company sold more than 10,000 units (+4.0%) of the new edition of its full-size flagship, the A8 L, in 2018. In October, a long wheelbase version of the Q2 tailored specifically to the Chinese market joined the local portfolio; this version is aimed particularly at young customers. 2019 will see further highlights arriving at dealers in the Middle Kingdom, with the market introduction of the new A6 L shortly.

With the Audi Q2 L e-tron as the first locally produced electric car and the Audi e-tron as an import model, Audi also aims to set an important milestone in the second half of the year for the electrification of the Chinese model range.

Audi Sales in Europe in 2018 (Full Year)

Model changeovers, numerous political and economic uncertainties as well as the changeover to the new WLTP test cycle dominated business for Audi in Europe in 2018. Across all models, sales on the home continent fell by 13.6 percent to around 743,600 units over the year as a whole.

The A7 performed well, with sales up 47.4 percent to around 10,100 units since January. Attracting around 16,000 advance reservations, the Audi e-tron also caused a stir among European customers.

In December 2018 around 51,500 customers (-20.9%) in Europe received their keys for an Audi. The company continues to work at full speed on the homologation of its models. Week after week further engine/transmission variants can be ordered again in the configurator.

Audi Sales in the Americas in 2018 (Full Year)

In the United States, Audi once again achieved very strong sales in 2018, ending the year with 223,323 customers, slightly below the comparative figure for 2017 (-1.4%). The Q family in particular is providing a great deal of momentum in the United States. Demand for the sporty off-roaders grew above-average by 8.3 percent to 126,252 units. For the first time in the history of Audi of America, SUV sales account for 57 percent of deliveries. The most popular Q model is the Q5, with demand increasing over 21 percent to 69,978 cars. 

Audi Canada also benefited from the SUV trend, achieving a new record-breaking figure (+2.5% to 36,908 cars). As a result, Canada established itself as a firm fixture among the top ten largest markets for the third year in succession.

In North America, deliveries in the year as a whole built on the high level of 2017 (-0.9% to around 275,000 cars).

Worldwide Car Sales per Brand in 2018

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance writer with over 20 years of experience in online writing. His best-selling cars website has been reporting car sales statistics since 2008 with classic car auction prices focusing on the most expensive automobiles sold at public auctions in the past decade. He also owns the travel websites European-Traveler.com and Lake Geneva Switzerland. Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Finance from the University of London.