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Old 16th July 2007, 22:03   #1
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TOI: Audi A3 to take on corolla, civic?

Times of India, Bangalore Edition, Page 21, 16-07-2007 has this article. True?
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:05   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by androdev View Post
Times of India, Bangalore Edition, Page 21, 16-07-2007 has this article. True?
Audi A3 is based on Golf platform that supports the Octavia. So possible, but will they do it given the pricing hierarchy of the respective models (Skoda--> VW --> Audi)
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:09   #3
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Well the article was funny to say the least. They mention the A3 as a sedan!!!

It's created waves in my office. everyone is coming and asking me details on when the car's coming out and specs.

Even my relatives are calling and asking details.

To top it off my dad is saying why to get the accord why dont we just wait for the Audi A3 Sedan.
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:12   #4
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Also - the A3 is a premium hatchback which is essentially an A4 minus the boot - and going by global pricing, I cannot see it taking on the Corolla / Civic. Eg. Corolla base price in the US starts at $14K vs. the A3's base of $25K.
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:20   #5
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quoting from the article:

Quote:
But what is likely most to rev up the market is the A3 compact sedan. It is said that the sedan would be in India in the next two months for a 6-month testing period. It is expected to enter the market early next year. The price of the car, sources said, would be between Rs 10 and Rs 15 lakh, taking on the likes of the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla.

By the time the A3 comes to India, Audi's assembly facility at the Skoda plant in Aurangabad would be operational. This is what is enabling the competitive pricing, as it allows Audi to bring in the A3 as a completely knocked down unit and assemble it in the new facility, along with the A6 and A4. "Audi, which has been in India for over three years now, has recorded its highest sales growth, of 48%, in the first half of this year," said Benoit Tiers, MD of Audi India. "A lot of people are asking for Audi now. As and when the demand increases we will roll out newer models from the Audi stable," he added.
But I have a feeling their premium customers would not be very happy with this move,if it can actually transform into reality.

25,000USD == approx 10 lakh INR

Last edited by rahul_intlad : 16th July 2007 at 22:23.
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:27   #6
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As far as the Audi Brand image goes .. Yes ppl will buy it. But asking to pay 10 lakhs without a boot .. oops sorry but that sounds a bit weird.

Don't know how many of them will buy it (yeah if at all it makes it)
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:30   #7
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Great news!

But will these sell? I mean I know its a great car but mostly people atleast in India think more money = more space.

Also If Audi can do it why cant Merc? by bringing in the A-class (can it be priced this much?)


If I had the money I would buy it.
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:46   #8
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Unfortunately could not complete my earlier post,hence continue here,

If the car retails at 25k USD,then at 10 lakhs in the indian market is exceptional stuff.

Looks like it is an intentional ploy by audi to market this car as a compact sedan and in the days to come you are going to here more on this from Audi india.


Quote:
But will these sell? I mean I know its a great car but mostly people atleast in India think more money = more space.

Also If Audi can do it why cant Merc? by bringing in the A-class (can it be priced this much?)
Hatches do not necessarily mean less space but yes they will have to do some clever marketing along with the expectation that the audi brand will help sell this car.

As far as the A-class, mercedes is going to stop production of the A class internationally.

Last edited by rahul_intlad : 16th July 2007 at 22:48.
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:50   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rahul_intlad View Post
quoting from the article:

But I have a feeling their premium customers would not be very happy with this move,if it can actually transform into reality.

25,000USD == approx 10 lakh INR
Did $14,000 transform in the corolla's case??
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Old 16th July 2007, 22:58   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitrous View Post
Did $14,000 transform in the corolla's case??
I was just going to say that. $14K comes to around Rs. 6L. So double the cost or 6L more.

Effectively you are looking at 18L or 20L plus for a hatch.
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Old 16th July 2007, 23:01   #11
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vid ,nitrous

I did mention that if audi could pull that off it would be exceptional stuff just that I was unable to complete my first post due to an internet problem.
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Old 16th July 2007, 23:06   #12
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Vidyut, we're forgetting that a small car will have an excise sop by 8% of the vehicle value if it falls under the small car category.
So,take out around 2 lakhs .
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Old 16th July 2007, 23:09   #13
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That was worth of a laugh!

Which paper called Sunjay Dutt's ferrari an audi?
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Old 16th July 2007, 23:10   #14
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These TOI guys must be smoking something. I cannot imagine Audi designing a new A3 sedan just for the Indian market. Any amount of googling does not show any A3 sedans.
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Old 16th July 2007, 23:18   #15
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Guys,

Do you really think this will happen ? If it does it will be nothing short of a miracle !

And it's in the TOI, take it with a pinch of salt.
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