(June 7, 2011) HERNDON, Va. (PRNewswire) — While much of the auto industry struggled during May, Audi sailed through the difficult sales month with its fifth-consecutive record and its best U.S. sales month in company history.

Demand for Audi luxury vehicles increased 13.6 percent  to 10,457 vehicles sold, from 9,205 vehicles sold in May 2010, marking the third-best month in Audi of America history.

The strong May results were buoyed by a significant buyer response to the all-new 2012 Audi A7, with 812 vehicles sold  The Audi A8 flagship sedan also performed favorably in May , with 495 vehicles sold, a 661.5 percent increase over the same period in 2010.

Audi recorded year-over-year sales increases with seven of its models: the Audi A3, the Audi A4, the Audi A8, the Audi Q5, the Audi Q7, the Audi R8 and the Audi TT.

Consumers continued to show preferences for the brand's clean diesel technology. Sales of the fuel-efficient A3 models increased 33.9 percent year-over-year to 664 vehicles sold, with the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel model accounting for 55 percent of the sales mix in the lineup. Demand for the popular Audi Q7 full-size luxury sport-utility vehicle remained strong with a sales increase of 26.9 percent year-over-year, with the Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel model accounting for 40% of the sales mix.

The Audi R8 supercar series also enjoyed a significant sales increase of 135.7 percent year-over-year to 99 vehicles sold in May 2011. The sporty Audi TT coupe and roadster also performed well, with sales increasing 30.2 percent over the same period last year to 220 vehicles sold.

"Audi continues to make measurable gains in the high-end sector of the luxury car market in the U.S.  Our current models are the most technologically-advanced vehicles Audi has ever produced and our progressive luxury positioning continues to set Audi apart from its competitors," said Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. "Audi is on track to capture the leadership position in the U.S. luxury market."