Audi A1 not bound for U.S. shores

[jetsetter]

Despite the burgeoning popularity of small cars, especially with premium nameplates, Audi doesn't think there's a case for bringing its MINI-sized A1 to the United States. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler acknowledges that American customers are increasingly interested in fuel efficiency, but also contends that we want that frugality wrapped in larger sheetmetal than customers elsewhere might go with. In the interest of greener numbers, Audi's planning on going electric, launching an armature-motivated car around 2010, roughly the same due date as a Volkswagen electron-mobile. No decision has yet been made about a plant in North America, but that might reduce costs enough for attractive pricing to facilitate Audi's target of selling 1.5 million annual units by 2015. Without the A1, we're going to be forced to continue drooling all over the Alfa MiTo's roundy-round front fenders.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/13/a...or-u-s-shores/

Not really surprising. It would cost quite a bit for the size and I don't see many in the U.S. buying an Audi as small as the A1 yet.

[Prost264]

I agree, since I see almost no A3's around here.

[prizrak]

YAY that ugly POS won't be here
Yeah most popular Audi here is the A4 it seems to be the ideal size/price/luxury for the market.

[klutch]

Good. Just like leprosy and 'soccer', I'd rather not see it on this side of the pond.

[Hercules286]

Lucky bastards. Is there any chance we won't get it here in Europe?

[bafranksbro]

Originally Posted by Prost264

I agree, since I see almost no A3's around here.

I hadn't even realized they were available here until I saw one just the other day. I was quite shocked since I had never seen one and was under the impression it was a Europe only car.

The A1 looks horrible, I'm glad it won't be here, they would have been better off making a big steak sauce bottle and putting wheels on it. Yes that's a terrible joke but I don't care.

[LeMans GTR]

Bleh, it's not like you're missing out on anything.

[NooDle]

well how does anyone know what the final product will look like? sure we've all seen spy shots and renders but how can you say "that ugly POS" when the car hasnt even been made?

[Hercules286]

Originally Posted by NooDle

well how does anyone know what the final product will look like? sure we've all seen spy shots and renders but how can you say "that ugly POS" when the car hasnt even been made?

It usually goes like this:

-Japanese concepts are uglier than the final cars.
-German concepts are prettier than the final cars.
-American concepts are comparable to the final cars.

People are just speculating based on that.

[prizrak]

Originally Posted by petarkb

It usually goes like this:

-Japanese concepts are uglier than the final cars.
-German concepts are prettier than the final cars.
-American concepts are comparable to the final cars.

People are just speculating based on that.

Aside from that there is no point in a small Audi here. Even with the gas prices and lack of parking in larger cities small/midsize sedans are more popular. The A3 is very good looking and has pretty decent power yet you will struggle to see one on the road. You will see A4's everywhere though starting from the B5 and ending with the B7 models.

Remember Audi is viewed as a luxury brand and for Americans luxury == large. It would make more sense to introduce a tiny VW into the line up then putting 4 rings on the front of one.

[NooDle]

Originally Posted by prizrak

Remember Audi is viewed as a luxury brand and for Americans luxury == large. It would make more sense to introduce a tiny VW into the line up then putting 4 rings on the front of one.

All true.

yet you guys are getting the new BMW 1 series, and even with a diesel engine. I would class that as a small car (inside is tiny!) from a "luxury" brand.

[prizrak]

Originally Posted by NooDle

All true.

yet you guys are getting the new BMW 1 series, and even with a diesel engine. I would class that as a small car (inside is tiny!) from a "luxury" brand.

BMW doesn't really own any other brands, other than the mini, so its harder for them to introduce cars out of the line up. Also I think with BMW they are marketing it as a small light sports car (after all you can get the same engine as the 335i in it) rather than a small luxury car. Audi has always been percieved as more of a luxury brand than a sporty one (although it's changing).

[ja404]

The 1 series is only 8 inches shorter than the 3 series.

[Das_Idiot]

Originally Posted by petarkb

Lucky bastards. Is there any chance we won't get it here in Europe?

seriously, I'm glad we're not getting it. Fortunately ost people here wouldn't buy that ugly thing anyway. I do see a lot of A4s though, far more than i'd think. Nice to know that some have taste.