Auto industry – record profit for Audi – economy

The Volkswagen subsidiary Audi made record profits last year, but is cautious about the outlook for the current year. Thanks to full order books, sales figures and sales are expected to increase significantly, but the profit margin is likely to fall, said CFO Jürgen Rittersberger in Ingolstadt. Higher material, raw material and labor costs and a falling share of profitable luxury vehicles in sales caused headwind.

Buyers currently have to wait almost a year for a newly ordered Audi. Last year, the company delivered just 1.6 million cars – fewer than in 2013.

Sales of e-cars in China, the largest market, are a cause for concern.