Despite the black crisis in the sector, for Audi 2012 was a record year. Now the German automaker (Volkswagen group) is aiming for a new slight increase in revenues in 2013 and 2014, an operating return on sales at the top of the range between 8 and 10%.
Last year Audi achieved record numbers: +10,6% i revenues, to 48,77 billion; Ebitda up 2,2%, to almost 7,3 billion; operating profit to 5,4 billion (+0,6%); operational return on turnover equal to 11%, compared to a target of 8-10% set by the company and 12,1% in 2011; sales +11,7%, for over 1,45 million units.
In particular, Audi recorded record sales in more than 50 markets in 2012. Profit after taxes fell by 2%, to 4,35 billion, and cash flow from operating activities (-2,4%), to 6,14 .XNUMX billion. Employees in Germany will receive an annual bonus equal to an average of 8.030 euros. For this year, Audi plans to take on another 1.500 employees in Germany, while another 700 young people will start their apprenticeships with the manufacturer.
“In 2012 we exceeded our targets and added an attractive brand to our brand portfolio: Ducati – commented Audi CEO Rupert Stadler -. We want to continue growing in 2013 and with two new sites this year we will create the right conditions towards our target of becoming a world leader in the long term”.
From 2016 Audi will produce the new generation of the Q5 in the Mexican plant of San Josè, where the foundation stone is expected to be laid in May, while production will start at the second plant of the German company in China at the end of 2013.
The German house will continue its record investment program. For 2015 Audi plans to invest around 11 billion euros in new technologies and innovation and to expand production facilities. “We have already started the largest investment program in our history in 2011 – commented Chief Financial Officer Axel Strotbeck -. We now expect total investments of an average of 3,5 billion euros per year up to 2015 in order to effectively continue on the path of growth”.
