AUDI AG

AUDI AG is a German luxury automotive manufacturer headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group since 1966. Founded originally as August Horch & Cie in 1899 and later reestablished as Auto Union GmbH in Ingolstadt in 1949, the company was renamed to AUDI AG in 1985, cementing its position as one of the world's premier luxury automotive brands. With approximately 87,700 employees globally and around 40,000 working at its Ingolstadt headquarters, Audi operates as the largest employer in the region and maintains nine production facilities worldwide including locations in Germany, Mexico, Hungary, and through Volkswagen Group partnerships in Slovakia, Spain, Brazil, India, and China. The company has established itself as a cornerstone of the global luxury automotive market, competing directly with BMW and Mercedes-Benz as part of the prestigious German 'Big Three' premium automotive brands. In 2023, Audi achieved record revenue of €69.9 billion with an operating profit of €6.3 billion and a strong operating margin of 9.0%, though 2024 proved more challenging with revenue declining to €64.5 billion as the company navigated global economic pressures and intensified international competition, particularly in the crucial Chinese market. Audi delivered 1.67 million vehicles globally in 2024, including 164,480 fully electric cars, demonstrating the company's commitment to electrification and sustainable mobility. The brand is renowned for its 'Vorsprung durch Technik' (Advancement through Technology) philosophy, pioneering innovations in automotive engineering, design, and performance. Audi's product portfolio spans luxury sedans, high-performance sports cars, premium SUVs, and increasingly sophisticated electric vehicles, with the Q6 e-tron marking the first all-electric model produced at the historic Ingolstadt facility. The company has achieved net carbon-neutral production at its Ingolstadt plant since January 2024, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability. As part of Volkswagen Group's Progressive Brand Group alongside Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ducati, Audi contributes approximately 23.6% of the group's vehicle sales revenue, with its brand valued at seven billion US dollars as of 2024, ranking among the ten most valuable automotive brands globally.