Audi 2012 Annual Report Download - page 150

153
Management Report
140 Audi Group
151 Business and underlying
situation
151 Economic environment
153 Research and development
162 Procurement
162 Production
165 Deliveries and distribution
173 Financial performance
indicators
176 Social and ecological aspects
190 Risks, opportunities
and outlook
201 Disclaimer
the UK. On the other hand, the motorcycle market was buoyant in Germany, expanding slightly
by 2.3 percent. Demand for motorcycles also increased in the United States and Japan. While
the U.S. market achieved only slight sales growth of 1.1 percent, unit sales in Japan rose sharply,
increasing by 18.3 percent.
Management’s overall assessment
Against a backdrop of declining economic momentum, the Audi Group again enjoyed a very
successful year in 2012. The Company delivered 1,455,123 (1,302,659) Audi models worldwide
and thus improved on its previous record. The substantial rise in deliveries of 11.7 percent is
attributable not simply to generally positive overall market demand for cars, but in specific to
the attractive product portfolio of the Audi brand and its steady expansion. We again reaped the
rewards of continuously optimizing processes and cost structures along the entire value chain,
as part of our long-term approach to corporate management. We were thus able to post an
operating profit for the 2012 fiscal year of EUR 5,380 (5,348) million and an operating return
on sales of 11.0 (12.1) percent. This meant the Audi Group was again one of the most profitable
vehicle manufacturers in the world in 2012.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Research and Development area is of key importance to the long-term success of a leading
manufacturer of premium cars. Thanks to the Audi brand’s extensive portfolio of key technolo-
gies for alternative drive concepts, lightweight construction and connectivity, it defines bench-
marks and has an enduring impact on technological standards in automotive manufacturing.
Over the past fiscal year, an average total of 8,937 (7,574) people were employed in the Research
and Development area of the Audi Group.
EMPLOYEES IN THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AREA
Average for the year 2012 2011
AUDI AG 7,045 6,586
AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. 180 147
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. 245 216
Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. 694 566
PSW automotive engineering GmbH 537 –
DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING S.P.A. 88 –
Other 148 59
Total 8,937 7,574
The Audi Group spent EUR 2,942 (2,641) million on the Research and Development area in the
past fiscal year.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE RECOGNIZED AS AN EXPENSE
EUR million 2012 2011
Research expense and non-capitalized development costs 2,513 2,243
Impairment losses (reversals) on capitalized development costs 429 397
Total 2,942 2,641