Audi has been making news lately and for good reason: they are offering a line of vehicles worth considering for people who prefer Mercedes and BMW.

No longer content with being the third German luxury automaker, Audi is bent on taking away sales from its Teutonic brethren as parent Volkswagen AG seeks to become the largest automaker in the world.

Two Audis

Two Audi models recently were recognized by the J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) — the Audi Q5 and the Audi Q7 — both of which earned top rankings in their luxury Crossover / SUV categories.

According to J.D. Power and Associates, the APEAL Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of more than 80 vehicle attributes. The 2010 APEAL Study is based on responses gathered between February and May 2010 from more than 76,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2010 model-year cars and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership.

“These latest J.D. Power and Associates study results demonstrate what our customers have been telling us for years,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “Audi vehicles are thrilling to drive and captivate the consumer whenever they enter one. Our company’s exceptional growth in recent years is a testament to the quality experience our products provide.”

Audi Ranking

Overall, Audi ranked sixth in the study. According to J.D. Power and Associates, vehicle models achieving high APEAL scores have generated faster sales, higher profit margins, and required fewer cash incentives. High levels of vehicle appeal also have a strong influence on customer recommendation rates.

You can learn more about the J.D. Power and Associates APEAL Study by visiting this link.

Resources

Edmunds: Audi Q5 Review and Specs

MSN Autos: First Drive Review: 2010 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI (Road & Track)

This decision demonstrates that Audi isn’t quite ready to begin producing models in the US even as its parent company, Volkswagen AG, moves forward with a Volkswagen plant now being planned for the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.

Production To Start In 2011

According to Audi, the Q3 will be produced in Spain with an annual production capacity of 80,000 units. The company is investing 300 million euros to bring the 2012 Audi Q3 production to Marotell while saying that the move will protect more than 1200 jobs while also ensuring Audi jobs elsewhere.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG explained the reasons why US production has been postponed, “We will systematically explore our options in the context of the current market crisis. Audi is in a good position. There is currently no urgent need to select additional sites.”

What Is The Audi Q3?

The Audi Q3 is yet another sport/utility vehicle for the German automaker, joining the medium sized Q5 and larger Q7.  Audi says that the Q3 is a coupe-like five door SUV that offers all of the attributes of an SUV while being big on driveability. Based on the A4 sedan, the Q3 will compete against the BMW X3.

Audi is also moving forward with plans to build its tiny A1, a vehicle what will share its platform with the SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo. The A1 will be built at the company’s Brussels, Belgium factory and is targeted to compete against the MINI.  The European spec model will be available in either three- or five-door hatchback configurations.

Edmunds reported in February that no final decision has been made on whether the A1 will be exported to the US or not.  The publication says that the A1 would most likely retail for around $25,000 and compete against the BMW 1 Series as well as the MINI.

Yes, Audi is in the process of a “luxury makeover” poking fun at its past while signaling to the world that the new R8 is the direction that the German automaker is going. By the looks of this car, I will say that they are on track. The headlights alone are absolutely gorgeous!

Here is a clip from that Super Bowl ad: