HERNDON, VA - Audi maintained its 2010 momentum with record May sales in the U.S. For the month, sales of Audi cars and SUVs increased 22.7 percent compared to May 2009, marking the third consecutive time this year that Audi set a monthly sales record. May 2010 also ranks as the fifth-best month all-time in the U.S. market.

The May 2010 results were buoyed by the continued extraordinary public response to the Audi Q5, which established another all-time sales record in the month. May 2010 also stands as the best month of the year for Audi A4, A4 Avant and Q7 sales. Demand for the popular A5 coupe remained strong. The Audi A6 sedan also enjoyed a 51.9-percent increase in sales over this time last year and stands 34.2-percent ahead of the sales pace set over the same period last year.

Overall, Audi sold 9,205 luxury cars and SUVs in May 2010, topping the previous May record of 8,788 vehicles sold in May 2007. 

Through the first five months of this year, Audi has enjoyed a 31.4-percent increase over 2009, with 39,839 vehicles sold.

"We continue to see Audi gaining momentum as American consumers are evaluating the luxury car choices that offer substance, performance and exceptional efficiency," said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. "This isn't growth fueled by risky discounting strategies. It is growth based on providing the cars that are right for these times."

Since its debut in 2009, the Q5 has become one of the brand's most popular models. As more consumers recognize the safety, luxury and utility provided by the crossover, the Q5 has broken yet another monthly sales record, this time selling 2,030 vehicles in May - a 43.7-percent increase over this period in 2009.

In May 2010, the Audi Q7 TDI accounted for 33 percent of the Q7 line sales, maintaining the healthy share of that SUV line's sales mix since it reached the U.S. market a year ago. Sales of the "2010 Green Car of the Year", the Audi A3 TDI, accounted for 48 percent of all A3 sales for the month.

For May, the overall A5 / S5 model line (including A5/S5 Cabriolet sales in the 2010 results) posted a month-to-month increase of 145.4 percent, thanks to record sales of 1,757 vehicles. For the year, the A5 line sales increased 133.6 percent from this point in 2009.

The declines seen in the May and year-to-date sales of the Audi A8 sedan reflect the anticipated sell down of that model as the brand prepares to launch a completely new 2011 model of its flagship luxury sedan toward the end of this year.

Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales fell 8.4 percent in May from a year earlier largely due to constricted inventories.