Stock Markets April 13, 2026 05:03 AM

Audi deliveries dip 6.1% in Q1 as China and North America soften

Total first-quarter shipments decline to 360,106 units as regional headwinds and policy shifts weigh on demand

By Leila Farooq
Audi deliveries dip 6.1% in Q1 as China and North America soften

Audi's global deliveries fell 6.1% in the first quarter, with total vehicle shipments of 360,106 units from January through March. China and North America posted the largest decreases, while Europe recorded a modest increase. The company cited a global automotive slowdown, the end of Chinese subsidy support and ongoing model transitions, as well as U.S. import tariffs and regulatory shifts, and regional conflict-related weakness in the Middle East as factors affecting demand.

Key Points

  • Global first-quarter deliveries fell 6.1% to 360,106 units, reflecting softer demand across several markets.
  • China deliveries declined 12% to 127,109 vehicles, with the company citing the end of local subsidies, model changes and a broader industry slowdown.
  • North American deliveries dropped 27% to 35,464 units, influenced by U.S. import tariffs effective April 2025 and regulatory changes; Europe rose 5.9% to 123,724 units.

Audi reported a 6.1% year-on-year decline in global deliveries for the first quarter, with total vehicle shipments of 360,106 units during the January through March period.

Regionally, China - Audi's largest market - experienced a 12% fall in deliveries to 127,109 vehicles. The company said this decline was driven by a combination of a broader slowdown in the automotive sector worldwide, the expiration of Chinese government subsidies and ongoing model changes that affected its lineup.

North America saw an even sharper downturn, with deliveries dropping 27% to 35,464 vehicles. Audi attributed the North American decrease in part to U.S. import tariffs that took effect in April 2025 and to regulatory changes that influenced sales in the region.

Europe presented a contrasting picture, where Audi's deliveries increased 5.9% to 123,724 units during the quarter, providing a partial offset to weakness elsewhere.

Deliveries in overseas and emerging markets declined 6.3%, amounting to 23,501 vehicles. The carmaker highlighted that the Iran war had a dampening effect on demand across the Middle East and in Israel, contributing to the fall in those markets.

The company emphasized that these quarterly figures reflect Audi's sales performance across its vehicle range in the American market for the three-month period ending March 31.

Overall, Audi's first-quarter delivery data underscores uneven regional demand patterns: a notable contraction in Asia and North America, moderate growth in Europe, and pressure in certain overseas and emerging markets tied to geopolitical instability.

Risks

  • An ongoing global automotive sector slowdown could continue to pressure sales volumes - affecting auto manufacturers and related suppliers.
  • Policy and regulatory shifts - including the expiration of subsidies in China and U.S. import tariffs - pose demand risks for regional vehicle markets and trade-sensitive suppliers.
  • Geopolitical conflict (specifically the Iran war) is weighing on demand in the Middle East and Israel, creating uncertainty for international sales in affected regions.

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