FRANKFURT— Audi AG NSU.XE +0.31% on Monday became the latest car maker to ramp up production in response to high demand as it added shifts at its two German plants.
Audi, the luxury segment of Volkswagen AG VOW3.XE +0.93% , said it has added 33 special shifts at its Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants over January and February to keep up with demand for models such as the A3, Q5, A6, A7 and R8.
"Our order books are full," said Audi management board member Frank Dreves in a statement. "This makes us confident that we will grow again this year as well."
Audi's global sales rose 8.3% to 1.58 million vehicles in 2013, meaning it reached its target of 1.5 million deliveries two years ahead of plan. In January, Audi sales rose nearly 12% globally, and by 7.8% in Europe, the premium car maker reported last week.
Recent data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA, showed new car registrations in Europe were down for the sixth successive year in 2013 despite ticking upward near the end of the year. Most car makers and analysts expect the European market to recover modestly this year, though manufacturers are looking to the U.S. and China for growth.
Audi isn't the only luxury car maker adding shifts. A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz, Daimler AG DAI.XE -0.54% 's premium brand, said the car maker has added shifts at three German plants this year. At Mercedes's Bremen plant alone, some 36 special shifts will be added this year, the plant director said last week at an event marking the start of production for the new C-class.
Daimler last month said Mercedes sales rose 10% in 2013 to 1.56 million vehicles, but were down 0.8% in Europe. In January, Mercedes sales were up 15%, and the car maker is shooting for higher sales this year. Mercedes plans to launch 13 new or refurbished models in the next two years, including a sedan and an SUV.
BMW AG also said it is adding special shifts "as needed" on Saturdays at plants including Munich, Regensburg and Dingolfing. In 2013, the world's leading luxury car maker sold 1.96 million cars, 6.4% more than a year earlier. January sales figures aren't available.
Audi said it expects to add more shifts at the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm locations.
"For the coming months, we anticipate ongoing good utilization of capacity and additional shifts at our two domestic plants in Germany," Mr. Dreves said.
source: wsj.com
Audi, the luxury segment of Volkswagen AG VOW3.XE +0.93% , said it has added 33 special shifts at its Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants over January and February to keep up with demand for models such as the A3, Q5, A6, A7 and R8.
"Our order books are full," said Audi management board member Frank Dreves in a statement. "This makes us confident that we will grow again this year as well."
Audi's global sales rose 8.3% to 1.58 million vehicles in 2013, meaning it reached its target of 1.5 million deliveries two years ahead of plan. In January, Audi sales rose nearly 12% globally, and by 7.8% in Europe, the premium car maker reported last week.
Recent data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA, showed new car registrations in Europe were down for the sixth successive year in 2013 despite ticking upward near the end of the year. Most car makers and analysts expect the European market to recover modestly this year, though manufacturers are looking to the U.S. and China for growth.
Audi isn't the only luxury car maker adding shifts. A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz, Daimler AG DAI.XE -0.54% 's premium brand, said the car maker has added shifts at three German plants this year. At Mercedes's Bremen plant alone, some 36 special shifts will be added this year, the plant director said last week at an event marking the start of production for the new C-class.
Daimler last month said Mercedes sales rose 10% in 2013 to 1.56 million vehicles, but were down 0.8% in Europe. In January, Mercedes sales were up 15%, and the car maker is shooting for higher sales this year. Mercedes plans to launch 13 new or refurbished models in the next two years, including a sedan and an SUV.
BMW AG also said it is adding special shifts "as needed" on Saturdays at plants including Munich, Regensburg and Dingolfing. In 2013, the world's leading luxury car maker sold 1.96 million cars, 6.4% more than a year earlier. January sales figures aren't available.
Audi said it expects to add more shifts at the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm locations.
"For the coming months, we anticipate ongoing good utilization of capacity and additional shifts at our two domestic plants in Germany," Mr. Dreves said.
source: wsj.com
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