Global auto giant Audi AG aims to further extend its market leadership in China's premium automobile segment by introducing its new flagship model A8 6.0 into the country.

"China is of great strategic importance for Audi, as it is the fastest-growing market on the current automobile scene," said Chairman Martin Winterkorn.

The automaker launched the long-wheelbase version of the Audi A8 6.0 with a 331-kilowatt 12-cylinder engine yesterday in Beijing.

The luxury passenger car is priced at between 1.9 million yuan to 2.1 million yuan (US$229,400 to US$253,600).

"The Audi A6 and A4 have made us the leading manufacturer in China's luxury passenger car sector, while through supplying ultra-modern technology and the most advanced cars, our position is going to be solidified," Winterkorn said.

Last year, the auto maker's total sales in China increased 71.5 percent to 63,531 units, including 53,108 A6 and 8,173 A4 cars produced locally, a total growth of 75.3 percent. And in the premium segment, it has a market share of more than 65 percent.

The company is expecting China to become the largest market for its new A8 model.

"We hope the new A8 model will enjoy the same popularity in the country as the A6 and A4 models have received, and therefore drive away from our rivals," said Audi's Board Member for Purchasing Erich Schmitt, who is responsible for the Chinese market.

He also said that it is possible Audi will move the production of A8 series into China in the future, when the sales volume here achieves a certain amount and local production is feasible in economic terms.

The company began to produce the Audi A6 in Changchun in 1999 and then the Audi A4 last April.

"The locally-produced new A6 model is expected to be launched at the second half of the next year," Schmitt said.

In addition, the auto maker plans to expand its dealer network over the next two years, to achieve "full territorial coverage in China," said Ralph Weyler, Audi's board member for marketing and sales.

(China Daily May 18, 2004)