FRANKFURT (Reuters) — Volkswagen AG’s premium brand Audi AG said orders for its new A1 subcompact could exceed the 50,000 units of planned production this year.

The A1 is aimed primarily at affluent young people, an attractive target group since it rejuvenates a brand’s image and can build loyalty as people upgrade to more luxurious models.

“In view of the high demand, orders could surpass the production capacity this year,” Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi’s head of sales and marketing, said in a statement. Continue reading Audi says A1 orders could exceed 50,000 in 2010

TURIN – All Lancia and Chrysler brand cars sold in continental Europe will wear the Lancia badge, while the Chrysler badge will be used on all Lancias and Chryslers sold in the UK and Ireland.

Lancia withdrew from those right-hand-drive markets in 1991 due to poor sales results.

Fiat S.p.A., which took a 20 percent stake in Chrysler Group in June 2009, chose to predominately use the Lancia brand because consumer clinics done in Europe showed Lancias could command a higher price than Chryslers.

“The Lancia brand will be most impacted by the Chrysler alliance as the two ranges will be fully integrated into a new full-liner brand,” Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said.

Lancia’s lineup, which features the Ypsilon subcompact, Musa small minivan and Delta compact hatchback, will grow to include six rebadged Chryslers. (See box, bottom) Continue reading Lancia chosen over Chrysler as badge of choice for Europe

Over what looks like the plains, mountain passes and beaches of southern Africa (probably Namibia) the Audi allroad quattro was put through its paces. The car’s promotional package as Audi gets ready to launch it over this European summer. Continue reading Audi A4 Allroad Quattro Picture Leaked