Audi has announced its sales figures for India for 2022, with 4,187 vehicles sold for the full year, marking a 27% increase over 2021. The German carmaker said sales were boosted by the newly launched A8 L variant, two new Q7 variants, and the new Q3.
Balbir Singh Dhillon, head of Audi India, said, "We have been pleased with our performance in 2022 despite obstacles such as global issues affecting semiconductor supply and shipment challenges. Our sales grew by more than 27 percent across all segments. This year has been a strong one for our e-tron series. We continue to exceed our own estimates by selling all five electric vehicle models we offer in India."
Audi said it saw strong demand for its electric models, particularly the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. The automaker also said it had seen good demand for its performance-focused S and high-performance RS models, which have seen strong orders. Audi's sales growth was due to a stronger portfolio of brands as well as recovering customer confidence, although supply chain challenges and semiconductor shortages were still affecting business.
However, Audi's sales in India's luxury car market still lag behind those of Mercedes and BMW. In 2022, Mercedes-Benz sold 15,822 cars; that same year, BMW sold 11,981 cars.
Audi Sales Figures & Market Share in India (2008-2022, units)
Year
Indian Luxury Car Market
Audi
Market Share
2022
35,000
4,187
11.96%
2021
27,000
3,293
12.20%
2020
19,681
1,639
8.33%
2019
35,274
4,594
13.02%
2018
40,788
6,463
15.85%
2017
38,989
7,876
20.20%
2016
33,296
7,720
23.19%
2015
36,207
11,192
30.91%
2014
31,912
10,851
34.00%
2013
30,166
10,003
33.16%
2012
28,438
9,003
31.66%
2011
24,300
5,511
22.68%
2010
15,896
3,003
18.89%
2009
8,755
1,650
18.85%
2008
7,672
1,049
13.67%
Total
413,374
88,034
21.30%
Audi also said it saw a 62 percent increase in used car sales through its Audi Approved Plus. The growth in used car sales coincided with an expansion of Audi's operations, with the opening of eight new Audi Approved Plus dealerships across India, bringing its contact points to 22.
In addition, Audi is experimenting with one possible option for reusing batteries: using them to power simpler, shorter-range electric rickshaws. In cooperation with startup Nunam, it's testing three electric rickshaws powered by second-life batteries.
Audi plans to introduce e-rickshaws powered by second-life batteries in India in early 2023. These three-wheeled vehicles are expected to boost the company's market share in India, where they are much more popular than electric cars (which have struggled with a lack of charging stations and cheaper alternatives such as hybrid and diesel vehicles).