Audi raises first quarter deliveries by 11.7%

• AUDI delivered 412,846 vehicles during the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 11.7 percent over the first quarter of last year. Revenues were also up by 10.4 percent to 12.9 million euros. Operating profits reached 1,314 million euros for the first quarter. Progress was made in all regions of the world. For 2014 overall, the Audi Group expects to see a slight increase in revenue to more than 50 billion euros. The systematic expansion of international manufacturing structures, rising up-front spending on new products and technologies as well as mix effects will initially diminish profit in the current fiscal year. At the same time, the positive trend in deliveries and revenue along with ongoing productivity and process improvements will impact operating profit positively. Overall, the company expects the operating return on sales to lie within its strategic target corridor of eight to ten percent.
-------------------
• Mohamed Yousuf NAGHI Motors, the sole dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the Saudi Arabia, announced a 32 percent surge in sales for the first quarter of 2014. The year-on-year growth rounds off an impressive first quarter that saw exceptional Roll-Royce sales in the Kingdom. Stavros Paraskevaides, managing director of Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors (BMW Group), said: “Our sales figures for the first quarter of 2014 have been very good thanks to our team’s efforts to provide our growing client base here in Saudi Arabia with the luxury, exclusivity and individual service they demand. As purveyors of the best motor cars in the world we are happy that Rolls-Royce is understood to be the very pinnacle of the ultra-luxury goods marketplace in the minds of our clients.”
• BMW’s First-quarter sales volume, revenues and earnings were all up on the previous year. Group revenues rose by 3.9 percent to 18,235 million euros in the opening quarter of the year on the back of good sales volume figures. Despite high levels of expenditure on new technologies, higher personnel costs and tough competition, BMW profits before financial result (EBIT) increased by 2.6 percent to 2,090 million euros. Group profit before tax (EBT) climbed by 8.1 percent to 2,166 million euros, giving a pre-tax return on sales of 11.9 percent. Group net profit rose by 11.4 percent to 1,462 million euros. The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars delivered to customers worldwide went up by 8.7 percent to a new first-quarter record of 487,024 units (2013: 448,200).
-------------------
• RENAULT KSA announced the launch of the 2015 year model Renault Duster, one of its worldwide best-selling models which offers attractive appearance, good performance, luxury comfort, safety and entertainment. Duster has received more than 10 awards from the Trade Press. These include, but are not limited to, the “2011 4×4 of the Year” prizes in France and Argentina, “2011 Car of the Year” in Croatia and Russia, “Autobest 2011” prize in Germany, “Golden Steering Wheel” award in Romania, and “Car of the Year 2013” in India. Moreover, it is ranked as the no.1 European model sold in the GCC, and was designed and tested for driving conditions in this region.
-------------------
• The limited VVIP NISSAN Patrol 2014 edition is officially available for sale across showrooms of Arabian Automobiles, of AW Rostamani Group and the exclusive dealer for Nissan in Dubai and Northern Emirates. Only 200 units were produced of the newly launched limited edition of the Patrol in the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The vehicle comes solely in an alluring black color Matt exterior, high quality red leather seats, Matt black front grille, and a rear gate handle garnish. The exclusive VVIP Patrol also sports special design chrome finish alloy wheels, and a stitched ‘Patrol’ logo on front seats.