Global economic rebound to boost new car demand in 2011: Audi

FRANKFURT: German luxury car maker Audi expects the global economic rebound to boost demand for new cars in 2011, it said on Monday.

“Demand for new vehicles will rise in all significant sales regions with the exception of Western Europe,” Audi said in its financial report for the first quarter.

Audi plans to boost deliveries of the Audi core brand to around 1.2 million in 2011, and said the expected tangible rise in sales would also boost operating profit this year.

The forecast for improving sales comes despite the Japanese economy, and possibly that of other countries, being severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami in March, Audi said.