In the news: Audi of America has recently reported strong January sales results totaling to 6,399 vehicles. The said figure represents a 5.2% increase over the previous year and to date the best January sales in the company's history.

According to Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President of Audi of America, Incorporated, "Audi has a great deal of momentum as we enter 2007. We're coming off record sales in 2006, residual values on our new vehicles are, on average, the best in the luxury set, and the R8 sports car is generating a great deal of interest in the brand."

He further stated, "2007 can be another great year for Audi and our customers. We have three significant launches, including the Audi TT Coupe and Roadster, the Audi R8 mid-engine sports car, and the Audi A5 coupe. We're certainly looking to set another record this year."

The January sales increase was due to the 11.8% increase sales of the A4 model line and the continuous strong results for the Audi Q7 which record 1,636 deliveries. Audi also saw its biggest growth in the Pacific Northwest region which posted a 60.7% increase over last year's figures. The other Audi subsidiaries that have reported good sales are as follows: New Jersey with 44.9% sales, the Desert region with 43.3%, Los Angeles obtaining 41.2%, and Miami and Michigan with 37.5%.

Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales have also increased for January totaling to 1,859 or a 5.7% increase over the previous year.

Aside from Audi's remarkable January sale's results, the automaker will also lunched its stunning new R8 sportscar which will surely become the star of the Audi stand at the upcoming Brisbane Motor Show 2007. The appearance of the R8 on the Brisbane Motor Show will be its second appearance since its debut in Australia last September.

To join the R8 on the Audio stand will be the recently launched S8, RS 4 Avant, RS 4 Cabriolet and the brand new Audi TT Coupe.

Audi Australia's Managing Director, Joerg Hofmann said, "Since it was first unveiled, the R8 has received enormous attention from potential buyers and the public. To-date we have signed around 32 pre-orders for this extraordinary sports coupe."

The R8 will be offered for limited sale only in Australia and will be launched in September this year. The pricing and specification are not yet confirmed but it is said that the car will have a price ranging around $250,000 to $300,000.

According to Audi's Joerg Hofmann, the introduction of new vehicles like the Audi R8 is one reason why the brand is growing strongly in Australia. "Globally, we hit our 11th consecutive year of record growth, with over 960,000 units. Our success in the Australian market is another positive story. In 2006 we grew by 20% to 5,770 units - an all-time record in this country."

The Audi dealership in Queensland has also contributed 20% to the German luxury brand's record total. The Audi Centre Brisbane has once again topped national sales. Similarly, Audi Centre Gold Coast was able to reach an all-time record while Honeycombes Townsville was the No.1 rural dealer nationwide making the Sunshine State as the fastest growing region fro Audi sales.

For this year, Audi is targeting a double digit growth again in Australia back up by excellent product like the new sporty R8. The introduction of the brand's new sporty spearhead signals the revival of the Audi R8 which is a five-time winner of Le Mans. Le Mans Quattro concept car has made its international debut last 2004, the very same year that the concept car appeared at the Melbourne Motor Show.

Audi is one of the major subsidiaries of Volkswagen together with Skoda, SEAT, Bentley, and Lamborghini. The acquisition and redevelopment of the aforementioned famous brands have helped the German automaker to become a global force in auto industry and to rank fourth among largest automakers in the world along with General Motors, Toyota and Ford. Volkswagen is renowned for its top-of-the-line vehicles and auto parts like Volkswagen Distributor Cap.