Audi posts record MidEast sales for first nine months

German car manufacturer Audi on Wednesday reported a record of 5,602 vehicles sold in the Middle East in the first nine months of 2011. The figure represented a 24 percent increase on January to September 2010, the company said in a statement. It also exceeded the previous September year-to-date sales record of 2008 (5,504 units) and Audi bosses said they were confident they would meet their target of 25 percent growth this year. The largest market for the German car maker in the region remained the UAE with 2,245 vehicles delivered to customers in the first nine months of 2011. Saudi Arabia was the second largest with 1,043 vehicles sold in the same period - a growth of 37 percent in both markets. Audi attributed its success to the launch of several new models this year including the new Audi A1, A6 and A7. Its best selling models in the region are the Audi Q7 SUV with 1,237 units sold year-to-date and the flagship sedan Audi A8 L with 953 units sold. Jeff Mannering, managing director of Audi Middle East, said: "Audi is the fastest growing premium brand in the region. We are on track to achieving our 25 percent growth target and an all-time sales record this year. "Despite the Arab Spring having affected parts of the region, we have grown strongly through new models and our continuous efforts to delight our customers with a true Audi experience in sales and after sales service throughout our dealer network."