Audi feels confident it can meet it’s sales targets for 2008 despite the recent economic downturn in the United States.

“We have been surprised in the last few weeks day-by-day by a dramatic downturn in banking systems. End of December we know exactly where we are,” Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler said on Wednesday at the Reuters Auto Summit in Paris.

“Nevertheless looking at the environment for Audi, I feel quite confident we can reach and achieve this.”

Year to date, sales have increased 2.8% from last year, which is proof that the brand is healthy and strong.

Stadler reconfirmed that manufacturing of Audis in the United States will be decided on next year, as there seems to be concerns in the currency exchange department.

Audi was in talks with Porsche in regards to supplying diesel engines for the Cayenne SUV, but talks have ceased as a result of an ongoing Auto Union feud with Porsche SE’s board member Wendelin Wiedeking.

Audi is still committed to providing consumers with a full electric vehicle by 2012 the latest, while reducing it’s carbon-dioxide emissions by 20% by the same time.

Rumors are circulating that the electric vehicle will be based on the upcoming Audi A1 that is set to debut in 2009.

For more information please visit www.audiforum.ca

This morning Audi unveiled it’s A1 Sportback Hybrid at the Paris Auto Show.

The car has a four-cylinder, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine delivering 150hp and also a 27 kilowatt electric motor that assists the gasoline engine under acceleration. The electric motor can power the car for short distances.

Lithium-ion batteries can power the vehicle for up to 100km and can be charged from a standard wall outlet.

Fuel consumption is said to be 3.9L/100km, which is the equivalent of 72 MPG.

It measures less then 4 meters, which is just over 13ft and has five doors and four seats.

The concept is a preview of a production A1 car that Audi will build at a rate of about 100,000 units a year starting at the end of 2009.

For more information visit www.AudiForum.ca