Audi Says It Needs More SUVs And Wagons In The U.S.

Audi has admitted that, in order to continue growing its U.S. sales, it needs to offer a larger range of SUVs and wagons.

While speaking with Automotive News, Audi of America’s director of product planning, Barry Hoch, said that there is still white space that the German automaker can explore in the United States. For us, obviously, one request from this side of the ocean is to have an even bigger SUV [to rival the Mercedes GLS].“That’s pure white space that’s out there for us. From an American perspective, that’s one we are pushing to get, and I think we’re getting some traction,” he said.

For those that don’t want full-size SUVs, Hoch says that an additional Allroad wagon could fulfil their needs.

“There is a small group of aficionados who could benefit from an additional wagon from Audi. It’s certainly something that we see over in Europe, and I want it,” he commented.

According to Hoch, Audi needs to continually update and refresh its line-up of vehicles in order to remain competitive. With this in mind, most of the marque’s entire range will be facelifted or redesigned by the end of 2018. This dramatic refresh of the range follows 77 months of record sales in the U.S. amid increased pressure from Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

“By the end of next year, we’ll have the youngest lineup among our main competitors”, said Hoch. “When you look at the competition, no one is resting, and no one is sleeping. But we’ve got to keep the pedal on the floor with the products coming as well. It’s the only way we’re going to keep our streak alive.”