Audi and Lamborghini are predicting an end to the current market slump in the car industry in 2010.
The VW Group brands both expect to see a profit next year, with emerging markets such as China and an early return to strength for the US likely to shore up sales.
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Audi will have three new models on sale next year – the A1, A8 and A5 Sportback – and Audi’s chief financial officer Axel Strotbek said these models are key in seeing Audi return to positive growth.
“Global markets will bottom out this year,” he said. “By and large, we expect a slight recovery in 2010.”
Audi posted record sales in its home German market last month, at 27,700 units, thanks to the success of the nation’s scrappage scheme. India and Australia are also proving to be successful markets for Audi, according to Strotbek.
Audi recorded one million sales globally in 2008, but it is only likely to reach 900,000 units this year. By 2015, Audi plans add eight new models to its existing 32-model range.
Lamborghini has had to impose working restrictions on a third of its 1000-strong workforce, with CEO Stephan Winkelmann saying “there’s no mercy for the luxury market.”
But Winkelmann sees an end to these restrictions. He added the Italian supercar firm was already seeing “some signs of recovery”, especially in China.
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