Audi of America President, Johan de Nysschen apparently doesn't think that the U.S. is ready for a premium subcompact from Audi.
Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi’s worldwide sales and marketing boss, revealed last October that the automaker was reconsidering the A1 for the States, but now it looks like those plans have been stopped.
Audi polled its U.S. dealers about selling the A1 for around $25,500, with many of them saying it would be impossible to sell a small car for that price. Dealers were hoping for a price around $18K.
The Audi A1 is expected to be released in 2010 as a 2011 model for European buyers, if it ever makes it to the U.S. don't expect it until around 2015.
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Comments (20)
Maybe it will give them some time to redesign that ugly front before they try to sell it over here. Looks like someone punched it in the nose and now it's squinting it's eyes. The lower bumper looks like they forgot to assemble some running lights or turn signals in it. Kinda blank looking. A car for the European markets thou, they must like that odd look.
Posted by sparky | February 3, 2009 1:49 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 13:49
Audi is absolutely correct.
SUV and truck sales have risen again as gas prices have fallen.
Proof of americans short memory of last summer fuel prices.
Gas will have to stay well above $3.50 a gallon for a several years before people will be attracted to small premium cars, at least in any numbers.
Posted by zippy | February 3, 2009 2:23 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 14:23
Is this even a pic. of a real car?
Posted by 426Hemi | February 3, 2009 2:40 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 14:40
Too bad, but probably the correct decision. Americans just love their ginormous cars.
Posted by gm0n3y | February 3, 2009 2:41 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 14:41
I think it looks fantastic. Given, the mesh around the badge is a bit weird, but it would look worse without something filling that massive front grille.
It wouldn't surprise me to find that Audi has an entire department dedicated to just headlight design and concepts.
Posted by Stve | February 3, 2009 2:50 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 14:50
25k? i dont think so!
Posted by cavedog | February 3, 2009 3:22 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 15:22
That pic is a concept design render.
I was looking forward to the A1... oh well.
Posted by Trinity | February 3, 2009 4:06 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 16:06
For 18K what kind of "luxury" would yet get anyway? At 25K Audi (owned by VW) would probably steal sales from GTI's and GLI's - maybe even Passats depending on configuration. Especially if it came with Quattro at that price.
I'd like it more than the BMW 1-series.
Posted by Bob | February 3, 2009 9:10 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 21:10
$18,000 are you friggin' kidding me? It is an Audi, not some stripped to bare bones Volkswagen. Okay, maybe it has a small engine, but it is going to have the technology and comfort to back it up. Come on, freakin' MINI Coopers are selling like hotcakes around $21,000 base.
$18,000... come on. $25,000 would be perfect.
Posted by Joan of Arc | February 3, 2009 10:01 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 22:01
I gotta say Audi made the wrong move, a small luxury car would sell at $25K if it was well built, the inside was leather (not "leather texture" with inserts) and not all plastic and aluminum. I might even buy one if it really was nice to sit in and had the features of the A6.
Posted by Austin814 | February 3, 2009 10:26 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 22:26
Yeah I don't get it either.
You have cars like the 1 series and Cooper, which sit pretty much in the mid 20k range.... Sure they don't sell like Civics and Corollas, but then again neither do most of Audi's cars...
Posted by Brian | February 4, 2009 12:44 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 00:44
zippy,
It's not just that gas has falling to $1.50 a gallon. Manufacturers are offering very steep discounts on trucks and SUVs right now. Slash 30-40% off the price of a truck and it gets a lot more appealing.
Posted by Chris | February 4, 2009 7:49 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 07:49
i think this is a wrong move on Audi's part, the BMW 1 series while not selling like hotcakes is still doing ok and for the price point this could compete with that very nicely.
Like others have said above, this would have done nicely against the mini and 1series and I would have purchased one if I could get it close to that 25k price point, oh well.
Posted by Alex | February 4, 2009 8:15 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 08:15
Uhhh, this IS a smart move for Audi. All they have to do is look at BMW and the 1 series sales numbers. The base cost of a 1 series is right at $30k, and the 3 series is not much more expensive. So why would you buy a 1 series when the 3 series doesn't cost much more? And DUH, that's exactly what consumers are saying.
They just can't build an inexpensive car....German labor just costs too much. The only $18k "German" cars on the market are Mexican built VWs.
Posted by JB | February 4, 2009 1:57 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 13:57
Thank our sinking Dollar value...or should I say China's dollar.
Posted by Noya | February 4, 2009 7:22 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 19:22
Sick looking car. It looks mean with those headlights, but is that saran wrap going across the grill? I've heard of price cutting, but...
Posted by Bradford | February 4, 2009 10:45 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 22:45
yeah 25k for something that tiny seams a bit ludicrous. A few premium interior options doesn't make a car. Maybe if there was a cheaper base option around 18k and the top model was around 22k.
Not going to sell when all the competition is at 15-18k.
Posted by Sandman | February 6, 2009 6:24 AM
Posted on February 6, 2009 06:24
Is this a sedan or a hatchback either way this is a beautiful car something I would buy
Posted by Terrell Lampley | February 6, 2009 8:53 PM
Posted on February 6, 2009 20:53
@zippy
I would appreciate if you used the adjective "stupid" in front of the word "americans" next time. I for one am an American... but I have chosen to buy vehicle that was well within my means and serves my purposes. SUVs have their utility and place, but too many buy them as status symbols and are totally unnecessary for their everyday lives. Someone with no kids does not need a full size Cadillac Escalade to pick up groceries... :)
aside from the "strange" front end of this audi, i am upset that car manufacturers don't bring more of these types of cars over. small cars are easier to park, use less gasoline, are cheaper to maintain, and generally are cheaper to insure. the question is not "if" i should buy one, but rather "when" to buy one.
Posted by anon | February 16, 2009 11:30 PM
Posted on February 16, 2009 23:30
This car is so cute. I would love to see it here in the US. We have such ugly cars here, tahoes broncos suburbans. icky large subs. just dumb trucks. With one driver and no passengers. what a waste.
Posted by tchang | February 23, 2009 9:58 PM
Posted on February 23, 2009 21:58