Driving another new car into yet another fresh market segment is set to pave the way for a three per cent boost to Audi’s corporate sales in Britain next year.

Due to arrive here in January, the A7 model should provide the premium German brand with another 3,000 business customers, believes Audi UK director Jeremy Hicks.

“Even though the A1 supermini will be our main showroom attraction in the retail sector, the A7 will be our big focus car for the business market. All our research points to it being a hit with contract hire and leasing businesses.

“Our formula for success has worked well in the past and we believe it will continue to deliver results. It’s not rocket science – we think that providing people with what they want simply means that they are likely to come back for more and our loyalty rating of more than 50 per cent proves it works,” he said.

Speaking to Fleet News at the Paris Motor Show as Audi unveiled its concept for a battery-powered Quattro coupe, he added: “Along with the A4, the A3 Sportback is our most popular fleet model and the A5 Sportback has had an excellent reception.

“We think the A7 will do equally well because it is versatile transport that has been designed to appeal to younger drivers who have families.

“We accept the car is likely to take some sales away from the A6, but it we think it will deliver an overall gain of 3,000 registrations to make 2011 another year of steady progress and help us maintain our 50,000 annual fleet market registrations.”

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