Audi 2008 Annual Report Download - page 5

Photos: Klaus Becker (cover), Claudia Kempf, Andreas Teichmann (pages 4 and 5)
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EDITORIAL
2008 was a remarkable year in quite a number of ways. For the
first time ever, Audi’s vehicle deliveries broke through the one
million barrier, the crowning achievement of a 13th successive
record-breaking year. And this was also the year in which the
Audi brand took its product portfolio to a new level by adding
a large number of attractive new models. As well as unveiling
completely new vehicles, such as the A3 Cabriolet, the A4 Avant
and the Audi Q5 performance SUV, we carried out a thorough
update of our core car lines A3 and A6, and brought numerous
sporty derivative versions onto the market.
2008 turned out to be exactly as we had planned from the out-
set: a thoroughly successful year in which passionate enthusi-
asm for our exceptional cars once again brought us a whole lot
closer to achieving our ambitious strategic objectives.
All the same, we were not left unscathed by the global eco-
nomic crisis. Whatever happens in this current year, one thing
is certain: We will steadfastly adhere to our unique Audi
approach – innovative, progressive, cosmopolitan and responsible.
All these qualities are mirrored in our Annual Report, in which
leading authors probe intriguing aspects of the past, present
and future. In addition, the financial section provides informa-
tion about our economic development and the record figures
achieved in the past year.
I wish you an interesting and entertaining read.
Kind regards
Rupert Stadler
Chairman of the Board of Management