Audi 2007 Annual Report Download - page 6

The year 2007 was another successful year for Audi. The Group
achieved its best production figures and posted its 12th unit
sales record in succession. It also improved key financial per-
formance indicators, such as revenue and earnings, to record
levels. The most satisfactory aspect in this regard is that earn-
ings were increased to an even greater extent than unit sales
and revenue, impressively substantiating yet again the qualita-
tive growth of this automobile company.
Favored by the continuing strong dynamics of the world econo-
my, the global demand for automobiles increased again last
year. Developing countries in the Asia-Pacific, Latin Ameri-
can, and Central and Eastern European regions, in particular,
displayed strong momentum, while the traditional markets
such as the U.S., Western Europe and Japan were stagnant or
on the decline.
In 2007, the Audi brand faced up to intensified competitive
pressure by introducing numerous new models that delighted
customers worldwide. The attractive product portfolio was first
enhanced at the start of last year with the new Audi TT Roadster.
This was followed by the mid-engine Audi R8 sports car as well
as the A5 Coupé and the S5 Coupé. Production of the new Audi
A4 Sedan began in the fall, its sporty design heralding the start
of a new era for this strongest-selling series. In expanding the
product portfolio with the new e models, Audi offers its cus-
tomers especially efficient vehicle concepts which once again
improve fuel economy and emission values.
If Audi can boast such a rich variety of products as well as an-
other improvement in key financial indicators, this is thanks to
the dedication of its management, workforce and employees’
elected representatives. The Supervisory Board would like to
offer its thanks and appreciation to all involved.
During the past fiscal year, the Board of Management pro-
vided the Supervisory Board with regular, comprehensive
and up-to-date accounts of its actions.
All decisions that were fundamentally important to the Com-
pany were discussed in depth between the Board of Manage-
ment and the Supervisory Board. In 2007, the Supervisory
Board thoroughly reviewed the economic situation of the
Company, the development of its business, its business strat-
egy as well as its risk situation and risk management, at five
joint meetings and based on regular written and oral reports
from the Board of Management, subsequently consulting with
the Board of Management on these matters.
Essential topics covered during Supervisory Board meetings
included responses AUDI AG provides relating to the CO2de-
bate. The Supervisory Board also discussed the development
of the Audi brand in the European and especially in the non-
European markets. Furthermore, the Supervisory Board
viewed the range of models scheduled for launch in the up-
coming years and approved the necessary capital. The Super-
visory Board is convinced that these planned models will
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Martin Winterkorn
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Report of the Supervisory Board