German Luxury car maker Audi will increase the price of its cars in India from May, owing to the currency flux and the higher input cost, said the company.
"While Audi has exhibited stellar sales performance in 2013 and in the first quarter of 2014, the overall market scenario has remained challenging with the constant fluctuation in forex rate; thus resulting in a rise in input and operational costs. To address this, we have rationalized prices, but have ensured that the impact is as minimal as possible. Additionally, we continue to offer our customers innovative finance solutions from Audi Finance which will make their purchase more attractive." Carwale quoted Audi India head Joe King.
The company also said that the quantum of the hike would be three percent. The price hike will take the Audi A4 to ₹33.96 lakh from the current ₹32.81 lakh and the Audi R8 model will cost more by ₹5 lakh.
Audi India which currently sells A4, A6, A8 in the passenger car segment (S6 and S4 in the performance versions of these sedans), Q3, Q5 and Q7 in the SUV segment and R8, V8 and R8 Spyder in the sports car category has posted highest ever monthly sales in March by selling 2,740 as against 1,104 in the corresponding month last year.
Audi India is also planning to expand its dealer networks to 40 in India by the end of 2014. Audi opened new showrooms in cities like Mumbai South, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Delhi Central, Karnal and Vadodara last year.
In March, Audi launched Q3 S Edition at ₹24.37 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is about ₹62,000 cheaper than earlier. The Q3 S, the cheapest offering of Audi in the domestic market comes with 2.0-litre diesel motor, which can churn out a power of 140bhp and offers a fuel efficiency of 17.71kmpl. The car offers features like rear parking sensors, cruise control, driver information system, six airbags, electronic stabilisation system and electromechanical parking brake.
(Ed: AJ)
