If Audi could increase production, they would. Its the suppliers that can't always increase their production. With such high unemployment in a lot of European countries, many of which are where the suppliers are located, it is hard to just say "build me 100,000 more of these chips, or wood trim, or wheels"

Point taken. I didn't mean to suggest Keogh is misrepresenting Audi's U.S. sales. What I tried to hint at- apparently not too well, is that Audi should consider increasing production for the U.S. market rather than loosing potential customers- especially new ones, because there simply isn't enough stock on hand.

i think everything he is saying is true and relevant for the US market. Being an Audi salesperson for nearly 9 years now, i can say we are in a time of higher sales with what seems like lower volume. The thing is we are selling cars at a much faster rate than we did in the past, it seems like we don't have any cars, but the turn rate is so quick now and has been, that the inventory is going much quicker.
When i tell a potential Audi owner "don't hesitate" it isn't a sales tactic, its the truth. Too many times people think the car they are looking at will be here in 2 weeks, and sells in the next 2 days. We have 10 A4's in stock when we normally had close to 50. But somehow we are setting extremely high sales for our dealership with minimal inventory.
and the positive equity at the end of leases: completely true. Just this week i have seen $1300, 6200, and 4700 in equity on an A4, Q5, and A5 lease for 3 different customers.
It is a tough, but a great position to be in.

Good interview w a Smart Guy in a suit - but everybody's got game at this level and knows how to spin it.
Trends and sales certainly hi-lite the fact that Audi's on the way up, BMW has become almost too diversified with niche-ness and Merc is in Keogh's words, "the old guy at the bar trying to buy everybody drinks." But Merc and BMW are nimble enough and smart enough to learn from their mistakes as well as capitalize on their strengths.

I do question his attitude (which I'm sure mimics the corporate line) about having not enough manufacturing capacity to meet sales demand...particularly in the U.S. It may seem like clever chat to tout the fact that dealers can't deep stock product- but the savvy consumer can find another car (brand) elsewhere immed. Equally as important is reducing the turnaround time for customer priority orders to show up for delivery in under 60 days.

There's room for improvement.

Originally Posted by Phunkshon

Saw this 20 minutes after it was posted on YouTube but it felt wrong to share.

I debated this. Honestly I believe it's staged and a sad attempt at guerilla marketing. I was also impressed by the R8's ability to take the hit. Those two elements contributed in my decision to run it.

Saw this 20 minutes after it was posted on YouTube but it felt wrong to share.

This has got to be the coolest looking machine people have ever created.

I would say Bollocks, R5 is dead.
The next TT RS will have 380 hp and alloy MQB body with a 60 Kg weight reduction.
Further there will be a new generation Haldex.
So the space between next Gen TT RS and R8 will get even smaller IMHO.

In the next couple years, Audi is set to start putting its e-Tron technology in cars that will be appearing in car dealerships. A test run is starting soon for the A3 e-Tron and the very first models will be here by 2014. Better check this out: Big push coming for Audi e-Tron line

According to AutoBlog, the first of the e-Tron line to hit the streets is going to the R8 e-Tron. However, since the R8 starts well above $100,000, hardly anyone will be able to afford it. The A3 e-Tron quattro will be released for the 2014 model year. After that, the A4 and Q7 SUV will follow. They are likely to incorporate at least some technology from the R18 e-Tron quattro.

AutoBlog quotes Audi chairman Rubert Stadler as saying that an e-Tron model will be an option on every model Audi makes by 2020.

Originally Posted by AudiSportFan

Thanks Geroge for the support, really nice

No problem!

Thanks Geroge for the support, really nice

I really like the orange seat belts and stitching.

Originally Posted by George@Fourtitude

My source told me Papaya. I agree, it looks more like Solar than Papaya, though that could be the camera phone's natural tendancy to saturate. I'll inquire to see if he can get more solid intel. Our contact is the only one who saw it in person and would likely know the difference... but I'll ask.

I'm going to check with quattro GmbH. I doubt they've built many RS 4s yet. Identifying this specific car shouldn't be that hard.

Originally Posted by R5T

What make this "Papaya Orange" ??? and not "Solar Orange" ???.

My source told me Papaya. I agree, it looks more like Solar than Papaya, though that could be the camera phone's natural tendancy to saturate. I'll inquire to see if he can get more solid intel. Our contact is the only one who saw it in person and would likely know the difference... but I'll ask.

What make this "Papaya Orange" ??? and not "Solar Orange" ???.

Originally Posted by chewym

Press release also very briefly talks about the new 2.0T with the port and direct injection and the integrated exhaust manifold, do you know when that is coming to the US?

I don't know. I will ask. My guess is that it will be change that goes into effect with MY2013 for the USA because that's about the time we get this facelift as well as all the other B8 product plus A6 2.0 TFSI.

Press release also very briefly talks about the new 2.0T with the port and direct injection and the integrated exhaust manifold, do you know when that is coming to the US?

Fairly subtle updates all around... more importantly when does the 3.0TDI show up?

Originally Posted by squishacorn

The hood vent?

I was gonna say. I guess the batteries need some cooling, but not nearly as much as an IC engine... therefore not requiring the huge drag-inducing opening at the front of the car. AC Condenser, maybe.... ?

The hood vent?