HERNDON, VA - Audi today announced sales for the month of March totaling 6,433 units sold. Audi's share of U.S. import luxury vehicle sales increased a strong 1.3 percentage points to 7.77 percent in March. This increase continues the consistent climb in Audi market share throughout last year and in the first months of 2009.

A bright spot in March was the impressive early demand for the Audi Q5. In its first full month, the Q5 recorded sales of 1,094 units, making the Q5 the highest-selling Audi vehicle in March after the A4.

Sales of the Audi A5 and R8 continued to be strong, with the A5 posting a 41.6 percent sales increase over 2008 due to 657 units sold in March. The A5 has recorded 1,754 total units sold in 2009, an increase of 47.4 percent over the same time last year. Sales of the Audi R8 kept pace with their March 2008 sales numbers and are up 18.6 percent year-to-date.

"The strong debut of the Q5 shows that consumers are recognizing the distinctive improvements this vehicle brings to the luxury crossover market. With the new success of the Q5 and the continued success of the A5, Audi has maintained its momentum and its share of the luxury car market," said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. "While the economic conditions remain challenging, Audi dealers surpassed our projections for the month."

Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales maintained solid numbers. Audi recorded 2,849 CPO units sold in March.