Does anyone still think that the 3.2 competes against BMW 328 after looking at pricing?
08-01-2008, 09:26 AM
#21
Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Then why IMMEDIATELY post about "competition" when pricing is released?
Sure seems to me that PRICING was the catalyst that caused you post about the relative value of the A4...not some OTHER "mysterious" criteria not mentioned in the post.
Yes, duh, price and horsepower are criteria. Even mitochondria realize that.
You couldn't restrain yourself from posting as soon as pricing numbers come up.
Yes, duh, price and horsepower are criteria. Even mitochondria realize that.
You couldn't restrain yourself from posting as soon as pricing numbers come up.
08-01-2008, 09:48 AM
#22
Perhaps Audi is a better managed company than BMW...
Audi sets records for profitability, revenue, and sales. Meanwhile in Munich, the propellerheads surprise, not with new product, but with waning profitability, job reductions, and falling share prices...
BMW's prices in the US are not sustainable and will need to rise; therefore, Audi's prices are more realistic of marketplace conditions.
25 Jul 2008 : Setting new highs in vehicle sales, revenue and profit in the first half of the 2008 fiscal year, Audi is on its way to another record year. In spite of a difficult environment, such as soaring raw materials prices, weak currencies in major markets and globally weakening economic dynamics, the company succeeded in again improving all key profitability performance indicators over the records that were set in 2007.
In the midst of the largest product initiative in the company's history and against the backdrop of stronger negative external factors, the Audi Group is again presenting an Interim Financial Report that is characterized by new records: "The results of the first half year offer impressive proof of our company's strong profitability," notes the Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Rupert Stadler.
In spite of negative currency effects, essentially in connection with the U.S. dollar and the pound sterling, the Audi Group grew its revenue by 0.1 percent to €17.387 billion (€ 17.378 billion)* in the first half of the year. Adjusted for exchange rate parities, revenue would have been 2.8 percent higher.
Audi brand deliveries to customers rose by 1.4 percent to 516,211 (508,842) in the first six months of the year.
Amounting to € 14.852 billion, cost of sales was down 0.6 percent year on year (€ 14.942 billion), in spite of the company's expanded volume of business.
"This encouraging development is the result of our ongoing efforts aimed at sustained process improvements and optimization of our product costs," explains Axel Strotbek, the Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG in charge of Finance and Organization.
What remains after deducting cost of sales from revenue is a gross profit of € 2.535 billion, around 4.1 percent higher year on year (€ 2.436 billion). This increased the company's gross margin from 14.0 to 14.6 percent.
Distribution costs rose to €1.603 billion (€ 1.398 billion), first and foremost as a result of the market launch of the new Audi A4 and the Audi A3 Cabriolet, as well as the further expansion of the distribution infrastructure. General administrative expenditure amounted to € 143 million (€ 121 million). Other operating income rose to € 510 million (€ 97 million), primarily as a result of income realized from hedging transactions.
Advancing by 28.1 percent to € 1.299 billion (€ 1.014 billion), the Audi Group earned the highest semiannual profit from operating activities in the company's history.
The financial result for the first half of the year stood at € 73 million (€ 91 million). The Audi Group's profit before tax thus rose by € 267 million, or 24.2 percent, to a new record level of € 1.372 billion (€ 1.105 billion).
At € 442 million, income tax expense for the first half of the year was up moderately over the previous year (€ 426 million). This enabled consolidated profit after tax to be increased by 37 percent to € 930 million.
In the first half of 2008, the rate of return before tax increased from 6.4 to 7.9 percent. The strong financial position of the Audi Group is reflected in a significant rise in net liquidity. At € 8.868 billion, this metric was up 24.5 percent over the previous year (€ 7.122 billion).
"Our task in the second half of the year will be to sustainably continue this high quality of profitability and returns. Therefore, it will be necessary to offset numerous negative external factors. Thanks to our product initiative, which is being fully sustained in the second half of the year, as well as the process- and cost-optimization measures that we initiated early on, we view ourselves as being well equipped for mastering these challenges," stresses Strotbek.
The Audi Group intends to boost its global vehicle sales to a new record high of one million automobiles by year end. Contributing first and foremost to this will be the rejuvenation and extension of the company's model portfolio.
The new generation of models in the Audi A4 line will then be fully available in all major markets, with the Audi Q5 being brought to market toward the end of the year. Additional growth impulses will come from product improvements to the Audi A3 and the Audi A6.
In the second half of the year, too, the Audi Group's revenue will be burdened by the exchange rate situation that will continue to be unfavorable.
"Given our company's strong profitability, we anticipate that the full fiscal year will see a further improvement of key profitability performance indicators year on year," says Strotbek.
BMW's prices in the US are not sustainable and will need to rise; therefore, Audi's prices are more realistic of marketplace conditions.
25 Jul 2008 : Setting new highs in vehicle sales, revenue and profit in the first half of the 2008 fiscal year, Audi is on its way to another record year. In spite of a difficult environment, such as soaring raw materials prices, weak currencies in major markets and globally weakening economic dynamics, the company succeeded in again improving all key profitability performance indicators over the records that were set in 2007.
In the midst of the largest product initiative in the company's history and against the backdrop of stronger negative external factors, the Audi Group is again presenting an Interim Financial Report that is characterized by new records: "The results of the first half year offer impressive proof of our company's strong profitability," notes the Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Rupert Stadler.
In spite of negative currency effects, essentially in connection with the U.S. dollar and the pound sterling, the Audi Group grew its revenue by 0.1 percent to €17.387 billion (€ 17.378 billion)* in the first half of the year. Adjusted for exchange rate parities, revenue would have been 2.8 percent higher.
Audi brand deliveries to customers rose by 1.4 percent to 516,211 (508,842) in the first six months of the year.
Amounting to € 14.852 billion, cost of sales was down 0.6 percent year on year (€ 14.942 billion), in spite of the company's expanded volume of business.
"This encouraging development is the result of our ongoing efforts aimed at sustained process improvements and optimization of our product costs," explains Axel Strotbek, the Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG in charge of Finance and Organization.
What remains after deducting cost of sales from revenue is a gross profit of € 2.535 billion, around 4.1 percent higher year on year (€ 2.436 billion). This increased the company's gross margin from 14.0 to 14.6 percent.
Distribution costs rose to €1.603 billion (€ 1.398 billion), first and foremost as a result of the market launch of the new Audi A4 and the Audi A3 Cabriolet, as well as the further expansion of the distribution infrastructure. General administrative expenditure amounted to € 143 million (€ 121 million). Other operating income rose to € 510 million (€ 97 million), primarily as a result of income realized from hedging transactions.
Advancing by 28.1 percent to € 1.299 billion (€ 1.014 billion), the Audi Group earned the highest semiannual profit from operating activities in the company's history.
The financial result for the first half of the year stood at € 73 million (€ 91 million). The Audi Group's profit before tax thus rose by € 267 million, or 24.2 percent, to a new record level of € 1.372 billion (€ 1.105 billion).
At € 442 million, income tax expense for the first half of the year was up moderately over the previous year (€ 426 million). This enabled consolidated profit after tax to be increased by 37 percent to € 930 million.
In the first half of 2008, the rate of return before tax increased from 6.4 to 7.9 percent. The strong financial position of the Audi Group is reflected in a significant rise in net liquidity. At € 8.868 billion, this metric was up 24.5 percent over the previous year (€ 7.122 billion).
"Our task in the second half of the year will be to sustainably continue this high quality of profitability and returns. Therefore, it will be necessary to offset numerous negative external factors. Thanks to our product initiative, which is being fully sustained in the second half of the year, as well as the process- and cost-optimization measures that we initiated early on, we view ourselves as being well equipped for mastering these challenges," stresses Strotbek.
The Audi Group intends to boost its global vehicle sales to a new record high of one million automobiles by year end. Contributing first and foremost to this will be the rejuvenation and extension of the company's model portfolio.
The new generation of models in the Audi A4 line will then be fully available in all major markets, with the Audi Q5 being brought to market toward the end of the year. Additional growth impulses will come from product improvements to the Audi A3 and the Audi A6.
In the second half of the year, too, the Audi Group's revenue will be burdened by the exchange rate situation that will continue to be unfavorable.
"Given our company's strong profitability, we anticipate that the full fiscal year will see a further improvement of key profitability performance indicators year on year," says Strotbek.
08-01-2008, 09:53 AM
#23
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fully "tarted" '08 328xi $49,420...'08 A4 3.2 $48,040
Just built an '08 328xi Steptronic online with everything minus active cruise control and HD radio and the grand total came to $49,420. For comparison, I built an '08 A4 3.2 quattro automatic with every option (except S-line) including wood steering wheel and rear side airbags (which are not even available on the 328) and the total came to $48,040.
08-01-2008, 10:02 AM
#24
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: The size of the car places it directly against the 5 Series
Hmmm - I'm surprised that you think that. I was considering an 08 535Xi and test drove one over a weekend. On a Sunday I drove to an Audi dealer (they were closed) and pulled the 535 next to the A6. Size wise they were almost identical. In my opinion the new A4 is more the size of the Acura TL than the 535. But again that's my opinion.
Oh,btw I rejected the 535 as I felt I wanted more "toys" for less money and placed a pre-order for the A4. But boy, those BMW guys were dealing.
Oh,btw I rejected the 535 as I felt I wanted more "toys" for less money and placed a pre-order for the A4. But boy, those BMW guys were dealing.
08-01-2008, 10:53 AM
#25
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolutely! '09 3.2 more than $3000 less than comparably equipped '08 328xi
Base '08 automatic 328xi is $36,750 vs. base '09 A4 3.2 quattro automatic Premium+ at $40,000... but base A4 3.2 includes the following that are options (or unavailable) on the 328xi: 17" (non run-flat!) tires/wheels, leather seating, power front seats, Bi-xenons with daytime LED running lights, 3-zone climate control, heated front seats, 6-CD Symphony radio, Sirius, Audi music interface, Bluetooth, Homelink, auto-dimming mirrors, memory for driver's seat and mirrors, advanced key, trunk storage package, electromechanical parking brake, 26 vs. 25 highway mpg and 35 extra horsepower. (Sources: '09 A4 brochure and fueleconomy.gov) An '08 328xi equipped comparably lists for $43,245.
08-01-2008, 11:43 AM
#26
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When you see the car in person, you will know what I mean.
The back seat is no contest. Regarding BMW dealing, yeah they are way overloaded on inventory. Thats not going to be good for resale value...
08-01-2008, 12:14 PM
#27
AudiWorld Super User
Why only compare xi BMWs to Audi quattros?
Some people do not need AWD and will be just as happy with a RWD configuration. Obviously Audi doesn't offer RWD or a FWD version of the 3.2 (which is inferior to RWD anyway), but I don't think it's fair to automatically only compare BMW xi prices to Audi quattro prices. I regard the cost of AWD as a penalty Audi needs to pay for sticking with FWD as the platform for most of their cars.
08-01-2008, 12:18 PM
#28
Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What?
Why is FWD inferior to RWD?
Because the drivetrain is less complicated, or lighter? Or better in snow? Or provides more rear seat room (no tunnel hump)?
The VAST majority of drivers would disagree. In the general public, we're a little light on track days, methinks, and heavier on daily driving.
Because the drivetrain is less complicated, or lighter? Or better in snow? Or provides more rear seat room (no tunnel hump)?
The VAST majority of drivers would disagree. In the general public, we're a little light on track days, methinks, and heavier on daily driving.
08-01-2008, 12:18 PM
#29
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Re: Then why IMMEDIATELY post about "competition" when pricing is released?
"Sure seems to me that PRICING was the catalyst that caused you post about the relative value of the A4...not some OTHER "mysterious" criteria not mentioned in the post.
Yes, duh, price and horsepower are criteria. Even mitochondria realize that.
You couldn't restrain yourself from posting as soon as pricing numbers come up."
- What is your point?
Yes, duh, price and horsepower are criteria. Even mitochondria realize that.
You couldn't restrain yourself from posting as soon as pricing numbers come up."
- What is your point?