Experience The New Generation of the MMI in the 2009 Audi Q5

It's amazing how much technology has advanced just in the past five years and Audi is all over this new technology. The company is making sure that customers have the latest in infotainment!

With the release of the new Audi Q5, owners will get to experience a new generation of the MMI, the supreme solution for multimedia, communication and operation. Here are just some of the features to expect from this latest technology:

• New joystick control - the central knob can be moved in eight different directions. Now you can easily navigate to a location on the screen and just point and click for directions.
• New display - a large TFT display measuring seven inches from corner to corner. It has very high resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and LED backlighting.

• 3D map displays - you now have a choice between the conventional two-dimensional view and the new 3D images

• Vocal input - no need to spell out individual letters; the new system understands complete words in a multitude of languages
• Music and entertainment - The system plays music from CDs and SD cards, including those coded MP3, AAC and WMA; DVD soundtracks can be heard in Dolby Digital 5.1 multi-channel sound

The Audi Q5 will be offered in the USA in March 2009 with a 3.2 V6 FSI direct injection engine, quattro® all wheel drive, and a six speed Tiptronic transmission.

Join Audi On a Journey of Progress

On February 1st Audi will continue on the journey of progress and is asking everyone to join them for the launch of a brand new commercial that will demonstrate why "Progress Is Beautiful".

To receive a sneak preview of this latest commercial 24 hours before its debut during the Super Bowl, all you have to do is participate in progress.

Click here to participate!

Audi and Social Network Marketing

As someone who is involved in online social networking marketing and social media on a daily basis, I tend to think favorably of companies who are involved with online communities and connect with their customers. Although there are many Audi forums on the internet that have been started by Audi enthusiasts, I've yet to see an official Audi forum.

The only online social networking profile I came across was this one over at Sugar which is a women's social network and community.

I wonder if Audi is even aware of Twitter and all the people who are "tweeting" about the company. I also must agree with Olivier Blanchard that it seems "scary" that Audi doesn't have a presence on Twitter. Not to mention that the company has still yet to launch a blog as well.

I think Audi is missing out big-time when it comes to establishing a rapport with its customers - especially nowadays when so many customers are online searching for information about Audi cars or trying to find someone to help them with issues or problems. I have no idea how much Audi spends on advertising and sponsoring events, but I'm pretty sure they could save a great deal of money through word-of-mouth marketing and reaching out to Audi enthusiasts.

Audi Increases Its Market Share

We've got some good news from Audi Land...A great way to start off 2009 ;)

Audi Increases Market Share for December and 2008

- Audi’s market share increases in both December and total year sales
- Audi A4 named “Car of the Year” by Detroit Free Press
- Audi A5 and A6 finish year strong with increases over December 2007
- Audi R8 and TT total year sales surpass 2007

HERNDON, Va., Jan 5, 2009 - Audi today announced sales for the month of December totaling 7,712 units. Despite a challenging marketplace, Audi appears to have outpaced most brands and will record market share increases for December and all of 2008.

Read more of the press release here...