Car channel

Four-ringed brand's expansion continues unabated The model onslaught from Ingolstadt will continue despite the global financial crisis. That was the message from Audi Chairman Rupert Stalder (pictured) after the German firm’s annual general board meeting yesterday. Stadler’s speech following the meeting reconfirmed the brand’s commitment to rapidly expand its range to 40 models by 2015 despite the dramatic change to the economy around the world. He was quick to trumpet Audi’s success against arch-rivals BMW and Mercedes- Benz in key markets around the world while explaining the continued importance of its expansion plans. “Audi has been managing its business systematically and profitably for many years,” Stadler said. “We have never grown for growth’s sake, but always in order to place Audi on a firm footing. We identified risks early on and took advantage of opportunities; we have caught up to peers in a peerless fashion; we have launched one enthralling vehicle after a...