The much rumoured unveil of a new Audi TT proved to be just that although there was a ripple of anticipation when the boss of the brand’s Japanese business announced two world launches.
One, the gathered press corps was certain of, the previously announced A1 Sportback five-door. The second, not the TT but a concept model called the Samurai Blue.
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Again based on the A1 but aimed strictly at the Japanese market, this is a concept that celebrates the world championship success of the country’s ladies football team and may appear some time as a limited edition model.
The A1 is a very important model for Audi in Japan. Chief Rupert Stadler said it accounts for a high proportion of the carmaker’s expected 20,000 sales in the country this year.
He said: “In fact, 25% of our sales are A1 but we have had a major product offensive in Japan this year with the introduction of the A6, A7 Sportback and A8 and we have seen an increase in sales of around 20% this year.
“We have ambitious plans for sales here and we are looking to double volume to 40,000 a year by 2015.”
