Audi doesn’t think 2011 BMW X3 will hurt Q5 sales

November 22, 2010May 20, 2012 Omar Rana 2011, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Crossovers, SUVs

With the new 2011 BMW X3 on the way to dealerships, Volkswagen’s Audi doesn’t that sales of its competitor Q5 SUV will be hurt by the launch of BMW’s second-generation compact SUV.

“I don’t expect to see any downturn in Q5 volume. In fact, we will sell more Q5s next year than we did this year,” Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi of America, said in an interview at the Los Angeles auto show. “The car is hot.”

According to Autodata Corp., sales of the Audi Q5 through October increased 77 percent to 18,735. Audi has a 12-day supply of the Q5 and the company could end up selling 1,000 more a month if they had more inventory, de Nysschen said.

Sales of the BMW X3 have fallen behind in the segment with numbers this year falling 2.7 percent to 5,135.

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Refresher: The 2011 BMW X3 is available in the United States in two different models including the X3 xDrive28i and the X3 xDrive35i. The X3 xDrive28i is powered by a 3.0L inline 6-clyinder unit making 240-hp and 230 lb-ft of torque, allowing 0-60 mph to come in 6.7 seconds. The BMW X3 xDrive35i is powered by a 3.0L inline 6-clyinder N55 with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo technology and Valvetronic. It makes 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, allowing the 0-60 mph run to come in 5.5 seconds when fitted with the optional Sport Package. Both models are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Prices start at $37,625 for the 2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i and $41,925 for the X3 xDrive35i.