Audi could sell 10,000 more cars (UK)

Audi UK is claiming it could sell 10,000 more cars this year if factory shortages in mainland Europe didn�t hold back supply. Audi UK has many more customers than production slots allocated for four key models; A3 hatch, Q5 compact SUV, Q7 large SUV and the A8.

�We�re having a great year, but forecast that we could sell up to 7,000 and 10,000 more cars this year if we had the supply,� says a spokesman for the company.

The A8 is being affected by strong early demand from China. The A8 has been planned with a pre-arranged production level and suppliers, mainly of interior parts, can only perform orders tied to that level of output.

With a inadequate production level, China is taking in a larger than predicted share of the output and a unplanned effect will delay the launch of the long-wheelbase A8 in the UK.

Usually Audi UK can fill slots in its demand by taking on factory build-slots that other countries don�t need. �But that�s not happening this year. All the countries are selling well and there�s no sign of extra capacity being freed-up for the UK,� says the spokesman.

To the end of August, Audi has registered 65,850 cars, a 15% increase over 2009.