meanwhile nothing from Mercedes
I sent a similar email to Mercedes with the same smaller engine plea but also urging them to bring the A series to the U.S. - preferably with the 1.6 or even the 1.4 engine.
No response from Mercedes yet - so Audi gets at least a point on customer response.
Final response from Audi
Marjorie
AudiTalk
My response (2nd comment)
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 5:29 PM
To: Auditalk
Subject: RE: Current Models Feedback - Suggestion: Smaller engines for America
Yes they are important - but more importantly, audi already makes them -- I'm not asking for a new engine or even something more fuel efficient than what is already being produced, what I am asking for is for audi to make the same engines it has in europe right now available in the US.
The automaker that reacts quickly to this will make sales. US consumers are feeling the crunch now and summer will be much worse. Don't wait another model year or two for a fairly simple option range change. I'm looking to buy a new smaller car by the end of the summer, I would like that car to be an Audi - but as it stands there is very little difference between the US A3 and A4 (which is another marketing befuddlement) and certainly the gas mileage on those vehicles is not above 30mpg.
Audi does not have to be a traditional slow to react automaker in this case, engine options can be made available to US consumers fairly quickly if Audi wants to make that happen. I would argue it should or else the Japanese and South Korean cars will again dominate this oil crisis as they dominated the oil crisis in the 1970's.
Audi has cars that can compete against the Toyota Prius. Put them in play.
Thanks.
Response from Audi
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 12:55 PM
To: xxxx@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Current Models Feedback - Suggestion: Smaller engines for America
Dear Garth:
Thank you for contacting Audi of America.
We certainly appreciate your taking the time to share your comments with us regarding the future importance of smaller, more efficient engines. We welcome feedback from our customers regarding their experience and preferences. This information is extremely important to us in planning for future models.
Your note has been forwarded to the appropriate individuals. We look forward to hearing from you again if we can help with any information or be of any further assistance.
Again, thank you for contacting Audi.
Marjorie
AudiTalk
My first email to Audi
Comments: I am the current owner of a 1997 A8. With gas prices over $3.30 a gallon and expected to hit $4.00 a gallon this summer I am very interested in a smaller engine car for a daily driver/commuter vehicle. I often travel to Europe and the UK and I am very aware of the range of engine sizes you offer with the A3 and I am really perplexed by the decision to shoehorn relatively large engines into the A3 for the US market. With gas mileage for the 2.0T at only 24mpg - that is only 4mpg better than my A8 - kind of pathetic actually. I see on the Audi UK site that the 1.6 gets close to 40mpg freeway. The price of crude is probably not going to drop again - and I believe you will see a very quick backlash of american consumers against cars that get under 30mpg.
I would urge Audi USA to begin to offer the range of engines it already has available in other markets to the US consumer. A 1.6 or even a 1.4 litre A3 would be very warmly received as would smaller, more fuel efficient engine options in the A4, A6 and even A8 lines. I believe we have crossed the 'tipping point' for the days of big cars and big engines for the American auto consumer.
I strongly urge you to think European in both your marketing and planning for the American car market.
