Audi: Why are they so popular?

Audi R8

Car sales are plummeting, manufacturers are going cap in hand to governments asking for bailouts, but Audi is weathering storm

The latest European car market data from JATO shows that while car sales plunged by 25.3 per cent in November – more than a quarter – sales of Audis are holding steady and increased by 0.2 per cent.

Do Audi have a particularly strong line-up? What is attracting so many people to Audis at a time when car sales are struggling?

A glance at Google Trends – which shows how many people have searched for different phrases over time – shows Audi gaining ground on its key German rivals. It has overtaken Mercedes and BMW‘s lead is in rapid decline:

Google Trends: Audi overtakes Mercedes in searches (BMW blue, Mercedes red, Audi orange)

Jeremy Clarkson may have uncomplimentary things to say about Audi drivers on Top Gear, but there’s no escaping that Audis are more popular than ever.

Here’s a look at each of the Audis on sale now. Which of them are better than their significant rivals? Audi A4 sales are soaring at present, up 16.6% this year compared to last.

Audi reviews on Auto Trader

• Audi A3 Sportback (2004-)
• Audi A4 (2007-)
• Audi A5 – (2009)
• Audi A6 (2008)
• Audi R8 (2007-)
• Audi RS4 Avant (2001)
• Audi RS6 Avant (2008-)
• Audi S3 Sportback (2008-)
• Audi S4 (2008-)
• Audi S5 (2008-)
• Audi S8 (2007-)
• Audi Q5 (2008-)
• Audi Q7 (2006-)
• Audi TT (2006-)
• Audi TT RS (2009-)
• Audi A2
  

Do you own an Audi? Are you looking to buy one?