CARS CARS Audi observes a robust increase in the delivery of electric vehicles despite the difficulties of the first quarter

The first quarter of 2025 financial results for AUDI AG demonstrate the situation’s persistent difficulties. Political unpredictability, increased competition, and the global economic crisis are all contributing factors in this case. Compared to the same time last year, deliveries of Audi electric vehicles increased by almost 30%. 15.4 billion euros were made in the first three months of 2025, an increase of 12.4% over the same time the previous year. There was a 537 million euro operating profit. The net cash flow was EUR -61 million.

“Our key figures for the first quarter clearly show that we must continue to improve our efficiency and competitiveness and are therefore pushing ahead with the transformation of Audi with our full strength,” said Audi CFO Jürgen Rittersberger. ” The agreement for the future has set the right course. Together, we will tackle the challenges and the necessary changes and bring Audi back to the forefront.”

The number of totally electric car deliveries rose by almost 30%.

The Brand Group Progressive** supplied 11,947 (-3.5 percent) Ducati motorbikes and 388,756 (-3.3 percent) Audi, Bentley, and Lamborghini automobiles in the first quarter of 2025.

The Audi brand had robust growth of 30.1 percent over the same time last year, with 46,371 electric vehicles shipped globally. In France (+169 percent), Switzerland (+120 percent), the Netherlands (+87 percent), Norway (+64 percent), and Germany’s domestic market (+59 percent), the electric cars were particularly well-liked. Overall, 383,401 vehicles were delivered to consumers by the luxury automaker in the first quarter, a minor decline of roughly 3.4 percent from the same period the previous year.

Incoming orders for completely electric cars in Western Europe increased quite favorably, increasing by 86%. Incoming orders in Western Europe increased by 22% over the same period last year for all drive types. These changes demonstrate that the 2024-launched model program is progressively affecting volumes.

“The first few months of 2025 saw us take decisive steps towards repositioning our company,” said CEO Gernot Döllner. “This includes the agreement for the future concluded between company management and the works council in March, which aims to increase productivity, speed, and flexibility at our German sites. The year will continue to be very challenging due to the global economic conditions. But Audi has started to execute its strategy and is delivering on it. Our model initiative is now, step by step, coming onto the global markets. We are particularly encouraged by sales and order intake for our new electric models.”

By the end of 2025, the luxury brand plans to introduce 10 new plug-in hybrid cars as part of the model effort. Audi has previously released the A3 and A5, which come in two body variants. The plug-in hybrids have lengthy electric ranges of over 100 kilometers (62 miles) in addition to greater recharge capacity. The Audi A6 Avant e-hybrid* and Audi A6 Sedan e-hybrid* will be the first two full-size vehicles to be released in May 2025.

China, North America, and Europe deliveries

Deliveries of the Audi brand fell by 3% to 112,707 cars in the first three months of the year in Europe (except for Germany). Deliveries of completely electric vehicles increased significantly, reaching over 25,129 units, a 50.4 percent increase over the same period last year. With 48,447 vehicles delivered, Audi saw a 4.8 percent growth in its home market of Germany. 8,640 totally electric models were delivered, which is an increase of 59%. Audi had its best-ever first quarter in terms of deliveries across all drive types in Poland, Austria, and Croatia, among other nations.

With 48,599 cars delivered to consumers, the brand had a minor 2.1 percent drop in North America (apart from Mexico). The model initiative is largely to blame for this, as many models are presently going through a generational transition.

144,471 cars were delivered in China, a 7.0 percent decrease from the year before. The fierce rivalry in the local market is the primary cause of this. As a result, among other things, Audi is concentrating on quickly growing its line of electric cars and fortifying its position in China with models, production, and local partners tailored to the local market.

The A6L e-tron was one of five world debuts that were featured at Auto Shanghai 2025. The firm fulfilled its promise of faster product development timeframes with the AUDI E5 Sportback, the first production model from the new electric brand AUDI. In the upcoming years, there will be two additional models.

The sibling brand, which was created especially for the Chinese market, targets new and especially tech-savvy consumer segments and specializes in completely electric vehicles. With new models based on the Premium Platform Electric and the Premium Platform Combustion, the premium manufacturer is simultaneously extending its model push in China.

At the beginning of the year, financial performance

The first quarter of 2025 saw 15,431 million euros in revenue for the Audi Group, an increase of 12.4% over the same time the previous year. Higher sales of electric cars and a better model variety were the main drivers of the growth.

Operating profit increased to 537 million euros (Q1 2024: 466). The Audi Group’s operating margin for the reviewed period was 3.5 percent (Q1 2024: 3.4 percent).

An overview of Ducati, Bentley, and Lamborghini

Between January and March 2025, Bentley delivered 2,388 vehicles (Q1 2024: 2,506). Revenue came to 661 (Q1 2024: 688) million euros as a consequence. An operational margin of 10.7 (Q1 2024: 17.4) percent and an operating profit of 71 (Q1 2024: 120) million euros were attained by the historic British brand.

In the first three months of 2024, Lamborghini delivered 2,967 cars, which is 12.8% more than it did at the same time last year (Q1 2024: 2,630). Revenue reached 895 (Q1 2024: 691) million euros, a 29.6% increase. The operating margin increased slightly year over year to 27.7 percent (Q1 2024: 27.0), while operating profit increased by 33.0 percent to 248 million euros (Q1 2024: 187).

Ducati delivered 11,947 bikes, which was 3.5 percent less than the previous year’s total (Q1 2024: 12,378). Revenue also dropped to 246 (Q1 2024: 262) million euros. While operational margin hit 6.3 (Q1 2024: 10.5) percent, operating profit fell to 15.0 (Q1 2024: 27) million euros.

Financial outcome and post-tax gain

Following the first quarter of 2025, the Audi Group’s financial result was 265 million euros (Q1 2024: 515 million). 170 million euros from Chinese companies is included in this (Q1 2024: 179). After three months, the profit after taxes came to 630 million euros (Q1 2024: 736).

For the three months, the Audi Group’s net cash flow was -61 (Q1 2024: -768) million euros. The purchase of the remaining Sauber Holding AG shares, changes in working capital, and investments in platforms and products all had a detrimental effect in this case.

For 2025, the Audi Group still projects total sales of 67.5 to 72.5 billion euros. Net cash flow is expected to be between 3 and 4 billion euros, and the operating margin is expected to stay between 7 and 9 percent. The current high level of volatility makes it impossible to draw firm conclusions on the financial effects of import taxes, especially in the US. A portion of the deal is still being worked out; therefore, the financial implications of the arrangement for the future are now being assessed. The projection does not yet account for these two aspects as a result.