Audi CEO wants to bring the A1 to the US market
A production version of Audi's new A1 mini-car will be arriving in late 2009 and Audi CEO Rupert Stadler would like to see it exported to the US. The VW Golf-based A3 hasn't been a roaring success here but as gas prices continue to rise, Stadler thinks the market will shift and he wants his brand to be ready to cash in. In order for the A1 to be viable with the steadily falling US dollar, the company will have to keep costs to a minimum. One alternative would be to build the A1 in the US and with Volkswagen studying locations for a US assembly plant that may be a possibility.
[Source: AutoWeek, via Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SuperQ 2:09PM (11/08/2007)
I see lots of A3s around, the problem is that Americans are stuck on "3.2L V6" in a car that normally comes with a 1.6L FSI in Europe. Personally, I would have already traded in for the 1.6L if they offered it here. The 2.0T doesn't get any better MPG than my Jetta. Sure it's fast as hell, but I can already get around fast enough with the crappy 127hp 2.0L non-turbo in the Jetta.
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Emanuel 6:56PM (11/09/2007)
I am such an Audi fan, and I would certainly purchase "Brand New" which has not happend so far this vehicle and wouldn't hesitate to pickup a small engine model. I currently own a A4, and I would buy it in 4 cylinder rather than the v6 I have now if I could do it again. I say bring the diesel!
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BigQid 10:37PM (12/19/2007)
I want to see one with a diesel engine that can get me 60 mpg while still getting me from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds.
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Larry 5:10PM (12/24/2007)
I think that the idea that Americans only want big horsepower is not reality. Everyone that I work with has made a comment about their next car will be a hybrid or a tdi. Fuel economy is becoming paramount. I could justify buying a brand new tdi that got 60 mpg because I would save more than the car payment on the fuel costs. 'If you bring it they will sell' :)
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