Audi to invest at least US$16 million more in Taiwan

Taipei, Feb. 24 (CNA) The German car manufacturer Audi said Thursday that it will invest at least NT$500 million (US$16 million) in Taiwan this year as a result of the country's economic growth. Speaking at the launch of Audi's new model, the A1, Audi Taiwan Managing Director Daniel Khoo said Taiwan's car market has been much better than expected this year.

"We currently have orders for 600 cars -- around two months worth of sales -- and our production lines are unable to meet demand at the moment", Khoo said. Audi sold 2,500 cars in Taiwan last year and the company's goal for this year is to set a record high of 3,500. Khoo said.

Last year, the German luxury car manufacturer also invested NT$500 million in Taiwan's market to help train sales personnel and improve service quality, Khoo noted. Audi currently has 11 sales locations around the country, with three more to be added in southern Taiwan's Tainan City and a further two still being evaluated, Khoo added.