Audi A1 enters production in Oct.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 1
From: California
I love the A3 and think this is as far downmarket Audi needs to go. Any more, they'll be bumping elbows with VW.
Audi needs a A4 coupe to compete with the 3 series. Now that is a gunfight I would like to witness.
Audi needs a A4 coupe to compete with the 3 series. Now that is a gunfight I would like to witness.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
From: Lake Country, WI
Audi says it can't sell the A1 here. 
Yet, rival BMW successfully sells the 1-series and Mini-Cooper (though the American-market 1-series price, admittedly, is too close to that of the 3-series). Mercedes, through Penske-sponsored dealerships, sells the Smart-for-Two, which is a LOT smaller than an A1 (though, admittedly, Mercedes will not yet bring the A and B-classes here). Volvo sells the small C30 here. Saab sold the 9-2X, a redone Subaru Impreza, and would probably still have it except for the Impreza's redesign last year, which was not shared with Saab. Infiniti, for years, sold the compact G20, a redone Nissan Sentra. Acura sold the hugely successful Integra for years, and, later, the TSX/RSX. And Lexus is about to introduce a compact hybrid HS250.......there is already a long list of HS250 customer orders, before the car even goes into production.
We heard this same line from Audi's marketers, some years ago, about the A3........"Oh, no, it just won't sell in America......Americans just don't want small hatchbacks". Yet, when they DID bring it over here, it turned out to be one of Audi's more successful vehicles.
Yet, rival BMW successfully sells the 1-series and Mini-Cooper (though the American-market 1-series price, admittedly, is too close to that of the 3-series). Mercedes, through Penske-sponsored dealerships, sells the Smart-for-Two, which is a LOT smaller than an A1 (though, admittedly, Mercedes will not yet bring the A and B-classes here). Volvo sells the small C30 here. Saab sold the 9-2X, a redone Subaru Impreza, and would probably still have it except for the Impreza's redesign last year, which was not shared with Saab. Infiniti, for years, sold the compact G20, a redone Nissan Sentra. Acura sold the hugely successful Integra for years, and, later, the TSX/RSX. And Lexus is about to introduce a compact hybrid HS250.......there is already a long list of HS250 customer orders, before the car even goes into production. We heard this same line from Audi's marketers, some years ago, about the A3........"Oh, no, it just won't sell in America......Americans just don't want small hatchbacks". Yet, when they DID bring it over here, it turned out to be one of Audi's more successful vehicles.
Didn't I read about some pullback Mike on BMW 1-series losing sales % vs 3-series, because, in typical American fashion, we crave larger cars...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,524
Likes: 265
From: Illinois
The A3 is on pace to sell about 3,100 cars in N.A. this year (250/mo.). It makes sense for them to not risk brining the A1 here right now. Keeping it for other markets does make sense. I like it personally and crossed shopped it, but it was too small for my needs at the time.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
It's not the 1-Series' size that it is holding it back as much as the fact that BMW put the same engines in it as the 3-series and priced it too closely. Yet the 1-series does continue to sell....but it would probably sell even better if it had a lower-priced, 4-cylinder option. That would open up the possibility of BMW ownership up to those who now cannot afford even a 6-cylinder 1-series....or 3-series.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Well, people are buying the 1-series, although a lot MORE would probably be buying them if the price were lower. Audi, if it changes its mind and DOES introduce the A1 to the American market, has a fresh chance, now, not to make the marketing mistakes BMW did with the 1-series.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,804
Likes: 139
From: MA
Not here in the Northeast they are not, I think I have seen one 1 series so far. For a entry level sedan, the 1 series should out sell all BMW models. or at least come close to it. The last time I check, the 3 series out sell the 1 series 6 to 1 and even going up two steps in the model lineup, the 5 series sell 4.5 times as much as the 1 series in the US. I could not call those sales numbers for the 1 series a success.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,524
Likes: 265
From: Illinois
Not here in the Northeast they are not, I think I have seen one 1 series so far. For a entry level sedan, the 1 series should out sell all BMW models. or at least come close to it. The last time I check, the 3 series out sell the 1 series 6 to 1 and even going up two steps in the model lineup, the 5 series sell 4.5 times as much as the 1 series in the US. I could not call those sales numbers for the 1 series a success.
F is for Fraud
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
From: Québec
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
