(February 19, 2013) Following the record-breaking year of 2012, Audi posted a successful start to 2013. In January, the company sold 111,750 automobiles worldwide, an increase of 16.3 percent over January 2012 and testimony to clear growth in all regions of the world.

The successful midsize model lines A4 and Q5 made a substantial contribution to this growth. Deliveries rose strongly in China at 38.5 percent. In the USA they were up 7.5 percent and in Europe up 8.6 percent.

“Although the general economic situation in certain European countries remains challenging, we've managed to achieve a very successful start to the year in all regions of the world,” said Luca de Meo, member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at Audi . “Our popular SUV models and the new A3 family will help to continue our pattern of growth in 2013.”

Worldwide, the sales figures for the Audi midsize model lines A4, A5 and Q5 posted strong growth (50,800 units, an increase of 24.6 percent). Together with the A1 Sportback, introduced about a year ago, and the Q3, this ensured that Audi also managed to sustain growth in markets experiencing economic difficulties, notching up an 8.6 percent increase throughout Europe.

In the United States, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker's sales figures for last month exceeded January 2012 deliveries making it the most successful start to the year in Audi's U.S. history increasing its sales by 7.5 percent to 10,056 units.

Midsize models also proved successful with U.S. sales increasing by around 13.6 percent year-on-year overall.