Audi 2012 Annual Report Download - page 5

Report of the Supervisory Board
Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Martin Winterkorn
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Global economic growth lost momentum in 2012. Many
industrial nations in particular found themselves facing
major
economic challenges, while most emerging
economies enjoyed relatively robust growth rates. Despite
only moderate economic growth, worldwide sales of
automobiles exhibited a steady upward trend – with
dynamic demand in the United States, China and Russia
acting as the principal driver.
The Audi brand delighted its customers with an extensive
product range in the past fiscal year. 2012 saw the addition
of attractive models such as the new-generation A3 and the
compact five-door A1 Sportback. The year under review also
brought major decisions concerning the strategic expansion
of the Company. For example, Audi has revived its tradition
as a motorcycle manufacturer through the takeover of the
Italian brand Ducati. In constructing a new automotive plant
in San José Chiapa (Mexico) where the successor to the Audi
Q5 will be built from 2016, the Audi Group is also making
the brand more international.
In 2012, the Audi brand deliv ered over 1.45 million vehicles
worldwide – an increase of 11.7 percent on the pre vious year.
Meanwhile the Audi Group further increased its revenue
and achieved an operating profit on a par with the previous
year’s high level – despite higher spending on new
products
and technologies, the expansion of the manu facturing
infra -
structure and an intensive com petitive environ ment. The
Supervisory Board takes this opportunity to thank the man-
agement, the employees’ elected representatives and the
workforce for everything they did to make this out standing
achievement possible.
The Board of Management gave the Supervisory Board regular,
up-to-date and comprehensive accounts of its actions; deci -
sions of fundamental importance to the Company were
dis cussed in depth by the Board of Management and Super-
visory
Board. The Supervisory Board considered the economic
frame
work and the Company’s business progress as well as
its risk management and risk situation at ordinary quarterly
meetings and by means of regular oral and written reports
from the Board of Management, and consulted the Board of
Management closely on these matters. At its meetings the
Supervisory Board also discussed Audi’s growth prospects
in individual major markets such as the United States, China,
India and Russia. In connection with the brand essence
“Vorsprung durch Technik,” the Supervisory Board was briefed
at length on central areas of innovation such as lightweight
construction and electric mobility. Other subject areas dis-
cus sed were human resources issues with the focus on global
assignments and the slowing demand in the major sales
regions in the second half of the year. In approving the human
resources, financial and investment plans, the Supervisory
Board confirmed the Board of Management’s strategic deci-
sions and thus gave its backing to Audi’s goal of becoming the
world’s leading premium brand. At its fourth ordinary meeting
during the past fiscal year, the Supervisory Board approved
the content of the annual Declaration of Compliance pursuant
to Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).
P H O T O | V O L K S WA G E N A G
Fuel consumption and emission figures at the end of the Annual Report
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