Audi is fast developing its capacity to build showrooms that grab attention as competition among brands in SA remains stiff. While manufacturers still hold the most of the cards in SA and it is tough being a dealer due to tight margins, Audi is forging ahead with a plan to become the most attractive automotive franchise by 2020.
It opened its first centre in the Eastern Cape earlier this year – in East London. Between 2012 and 2013, fourteen Audi Dealerships across the country would have undergone reconstruction, which accounts for 32% of the Audi dealer network.
But transformation of the Audi Dealer network commenced in December 2009 already with the opening of Audi Centre Hatfield – it was the first Audi Terminal on the African continent. Johannesburg International Motor Show visitors will get a taste of the racier new look and feel being rolled out on the showroom floors. If it’s power and performance SA consumers want, that’s what they’ll get at the Audi stand. Audi may have made headlines recently for its progress in developing environmentally friendly automotive energy alternatives – it reduced carbon emissions by 30% in the past few years – this year’s show will be all about speed and sporty good looks.
Head of Audi in SA, Ryan Searle says SA consumers can expect a “surge of power”. The S3 Sportback will leap out of the starting blocks for the first time in SA, while a number of the new stable of high performance RS models will be out to display their beefed up look..
Many consumers expect to have their favourite brands on goods other than cars these days and the German carmaker aims to make a splash in this regard due to its broad range of goods and accessories, produced by Quattro GmbH.
But a smorgasbord of other new cars will be on show, including the R8V10 plus, RS 4 Avant and RS 5 Cabriolet. An exclusive new interior for the popular A6 is also likely to attract plenty of attention.
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