Shanghai, April 30 (Gasgoo.com) Audi AG said in a statement on Thursday that it had established a wholly owned subsidiary, the Audi (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd, in Beijing on April 18, 2009.

Audi, a premium brand subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, has announced that its sales in China, including Hong Kong, increased 17% year on year (y/y) to 119,598 vehicles in 2008, sina.com said today. Construction of a new assembly plant in Changchun has started to expand production capacity.

Audi is set to present a world premiere at the Essen Motor Show from November 28 to December 7: the brand with the four rings will be unveiling a race version of the Audi R8 with over 500 horsepower. During the press conference on November 28, Audi will also be presenting its plans for the 2009 motorsport season.

In September, sales of Audi cars made by FAW-VW grew by 22.6% year on year to 10,919 units, which is the fourth month this year after January, March and June that saw the joint venture's Audi sales exceeding 10,000 units, said China Business news today. Meanwhile, sales of imported Audi cars rose by 76.4% y/y to 9,899 units in the first nine months.

A top executive of Audi AG, Volkswagen AG's luxury-car brand, disclosed at the ongoing 2008 Paris Motor Show that the German automaker has plans to introduce the Audi A1-like small cars to China following the model’s European sale.

At the Paris Motor Show (October 2-10, 2008), Audi is unveiling the A1 Sportback concept study: following on from the Audi A1 project quattro, the three-door show car presented in 2007, this is a concept for a five-door four-seater for the sub-compact class – once again exhibiting all the characteristics of a genuine Audi.

The new Audi A6L made its celebrated debut in China and also the whole world on September 24, FAW-VW, Audi AG’s joint venture in China announced, according to auto.sina.com yesterday.

Most Audi car models for sale in China have been marked up to meet the higher sales tax on big cars since September 1, said xinhuanet.com today. As the leading brand in China's luxury car market, Audi has many 3.0L-plus models that are required to pay higher sales tax if they are sold in China.

German luxury car manufacturer Audi would launch its acclaimed sports car R8 in India in October-November as it seeks to build the brand in the Indian market, a top official of Audi India said.

Audi is increasing its lead in infotainment technology even further. A new generation of the MMI, the supreme solution for multimedia, communication and operation, has been announced. With a high-capacity hard disk, a DVD drive and fast processors, it is much more versatile and its performance is higher than ever before.

Audi is maintaining its successful efficiency strategy: the new Audi Q5, the sports car in the SUV category, is its latest model to combine high performance with low consumption. This progress is underpinned by an extensive package of hi-tech solutions ranging from energy recuperation to engine downsizing.

Powerful dynamism, stamina and endurance are just as important in sport as out on the road. To be successful, you need to use your energy as efficiently as possible: On June 23, eleven white Audi A4 2.0 TDI models took to the start in the efficiency competition organized by Audi and Auto Bild.