Changchun production plantoverview

Audi's operations in China date back 20 years. 2007 was the first year in which more than 100,000 vehicles were sold to customers in China. Over 93,000 locally built vehicles left the traditional car plant in Changchun in 2007. Audi is now the fastest-growing premium brand in China and Hong Kong, with a market share of around 42 percent in the premium segment.

Changchun is regarded as the Mecca of the Chinese automotive industry. It is the home of the oldest and biggest car company in China: First Automobile Works (FAW). Established in 1953, FAW comprises over 100 individual companies which between them employ more than 100,000 people. The first partnerships with Volkswagen AG date back to 1988. A joint venture was then established in 1991, with Audi becoming involved four years later.

Production

The first Audi product, a modified Audi 100 with V6 engine, went into production in May 1996. Badged as the Audi 200, this model remained in production until summer 1999. The market launch of the Audi A6 followed in 2000. This model was specifically modified for the Chinese market by Audi and FAW.

Local production
The market launch of the new Changchun-built Audi A6L followed in mid-2005. The longer wheelbase of the Audi A6L is a particularly popular feature with Chinese customers. China is the largest market in the world for the Audi A6 saloon: 73,404 of this model were delivered to Chinese customers in 2007. On the back of this success, AUDI AG broadened its range of locally built models and launched the Changchun-built Audi A4 onto the market in April 2003. The Audi A4L first appeared on the market there in November – the first long-wheelbase version of a premium B segment car in China. The Audi Q5 is scheduled to go into production at Changchun from 2009; the foundation stone of a new assembly hall to increase production capacity was laid in June 2008.

Sales & marketing

With 127 dealer establishments in China's main 86 cities and regions, the exclusive Audi dealer network is considered a benchmark for the competition. Since January 2006, Audi has also been selling imported vehicles in China as well as the locally built models: the Audi A8L, Audi S8, Audi Q7 and Audi TT Coupé were joined by the Audi R8, Audi A5 and Audi S5 models in 2008. Five regional offices have now been opened to promote the further expansion of the sales organisation: Guangzhou (responsible for South China), Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Changchun.

Award-winning customer satisfaction
In the renowned J.D. Power Study (CSI study), Audi came out on top yet again in 2006 and 2007 in the “Service” and “Sales” ratings. Audi is the only company which has featured in the top three in each of the last five years. The Audi models A6L, Q7 and R8 were also voted class winners in the "Best Cars" 2008 poll. This award is based on a reader poll of the Chinese edition of the magazine auto motor und sport.

Audi Forum Beijing

Barely a stone's throw from the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Audi opened the first Audi Forum in Asia in the renowned Beijing Oriental Plaza business and commercial centre in 2003. The Audi brand is vividly evoked through attractive exhibits, an exclusive Audi A8 lounge and the quattro boutique on an area measuring 1,000 square metres.