Report: Audi Wants More Utility Vehicles in U.S. Lineup

Audi has revealed that it would like to add more utility vehicles to its U.S. lineup. Speaking with Automotive News, Barry Hoch, director of product planning at Audi of America revealed that the automaker still sees segments and niches that it can go into to grow its U.S. sales. Audi is currently in the midst of a major product overhaul and by 2018, nearly all of its models will either be redesigned or refreshed.

Crosssovers will be a major part of Audi’s U.S. lineup and Hoch revealed that Audi is pushing to add their own full-size Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class rival since there is demand in this side of the Atlantic for an SUV that large. As for sedans, Hoch conceded that like every automaker, Audi isn’t seeing the same kind of sales numbers as before due to consumers moving over to crossovers and SUVs and believes it’ll be a tough fight in that segment.

Wagons and hatchbacks like the A4 Allroad and A5 Sportback will also play a key part in Audi’s plans for improving its U.S. sales. Hoch also revealed that even with the majority of consumers moving to crossovers, there are still plenty who anti-crossovers. As a result, Audi intends to introduce more Sportback and wagon models to the U.S. as alternatives to crossovers. “There is a small group of aficionados who could benefit from an additional wagon from Audi,” Hoch told Automotive News. “It’s certainly something that we see over in Europe, and I want it.”

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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