Stock Markets March 17, 2026

Audi’s 2025 Operating Profit Slides 14% as U.S. Tariffs Weigh on Results

Revenue edges up and EV deliveries jump, but tariffs and compliance charges squeeze margins and prompt cost measures

By Caleb Monroe
Audi’s 2025 Operating Profit Slides 14% as U.S. Tariffs Weigh on Results

Audi Group reported a 14% decline in operating profit for fiscal 2025 to €3.37 billion, with U.S. tariffs removing €1.2 billion from the result. Revenue increased to €65.50 billion and fully electric vehicle deliveries rose 36%, yet operating margin tightened to 5.1% amid additional CO2 compliance, restructuring costs and platform rescheduling.

Key Points

  • Audi’s operating profit fell 14% to €3.37 billion in fiscal 2025, with U.S. tariffs reducing results by €1.2 billion.
  • Revenue rose to €65.50 billion and fully electric vehicle deliveries increased 36% to 223,032 units, led by the Q6 e-tron and A6 e-tron.
  • Group margins were squeezed across brands; Lamborghini, Bentley and Ducati all posted lower operating margins amid varying delivery trends.

Audi Group registered a 14% fall in operating profit for fiscal year 2025, with operating income declining to €3.37 billion. Company management said U.S. tariffs reduced results by €1.2 billion, even as top-line revenue moved higher and deliveries of fully electric vehicles surged.

Revenue for the year increased to €65.50 billion from €64.53 billion a year earlier. Management attributed that rise to a greater share of electric models in the mix and sales within the Volkswagen Group of Cupra-branded vehicles. Despite stronger revenue, the operating margin narrowed to 5.1% from 6% in the prior year. Net cash flow improved by 11.4% to €3.42 billion.

"The US tariffs in particular had a significant impact on us," chief financial officer Jürgen Rittersberger said. He noted additional charges stemming from CO2 compliance provisions, restructuring costs and the rescheduling of a jointly developed Group electric platform for the D segment. Profit after tax increased to €4.62 billion from €4.19 billion.

On volume, the Audi brand delivered 1,623,551 cars during 2025, down from 1,671,218 in 2024. Fully electric vehicle deliveries climbed to 223,032 units from 164,480 the prior year, with the Q6 e-tron contributing roughly 84,000 units and the A6 e-tron about 37,000 units. The company said monthly deliveries outpaced the previous year's figures in each month from September through December.

Performance varied across the Group's other premium marques. Lamborghini saw its operating margin fall to 24% from 27% despite deliveries increasing slightly to 10,747 vehicles. Bentley experienced a marked margin decline to 8.3% from 14.1% as deliveries dropped to 10,131 cars. Ducati's operating margin decreased to 5.6% from 9.1% on 50,895 motorcycles delivered.

The company is also progressing a workforce reduction plan. Audi said 65% of a planned headcount reduction of up to 6,000 jobs by 2027 has been implemented or agreed. A further 1,500 job reductions are planned by 2029 through retirement schemes. Separately, skilled workers at German plants will receive a profit share and pension contribution totaling €2,840.

Looking ahead, Audi provided a 2026 guidance range that anticipates revenue of between €63 billion and €68 billion, an operating margin of 6% to 8% and net cash flow between €3 billion and €4 billion. The company outlined a slate of upcoming model introductions, including the Audi Q9, A2 e-tron, a third-generation Q7 and a reimagined Q4 e-tron.

Plans for China include the launch of the A6L e-tron and the AUDI E7X, which will be the second model under the company's China-exclusive line following the AUDI E5 Sportback that entered the market in autumn 2025. On the motorsport front, the Audi Revolut F1 Team began its debut season on March 8 in Australia.


What the numbers show

  • Operating profit: €3.37 billion, down 14% year-on-year.
  • Revenue: €65.50 billion, up from €64.53 billion.
  • Operating margin: 5.1% versus 6% a year earlier.
  • Net cash flow: €3.42 billion, up 11.4%.
  • Fully electric deliveries: 223,032 units, up from 164,480.

The results present a mixed picture: growth in revenue and EV volume, coupled with margin pressure from tariffs and regulatory and restructuring costs. Audi's guidance for 2026 signals an expectation of margin recovery to the mid-single digits, supported by new model launches and continued electrification, while acknowledging the narrow range of revenue and cash-flow outcomes.

Risks

  • Continued tariff exposure and trade-related charges could further pressure margins and profits - impacts are relevant to automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
  • Regulatory compliance costs, such as CO2 provisions, may increase expenses and affect profitability - relevant to automakers and parts suppliers.
  • Workforce reductions and restructuring carry execution and labor-relations risks that could affect operations and production - relevant to manufacturing and labor markets.

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