The German company’s net profits in 2007 amounted to 1.692 million euro, according to the organization’s annual report. Although the really surprising detail is the increase in percentage: in 2006 net earnings were 1343 million euro, which means that in 12 months Audi increased its profit margin by 26%. Return on investment increased from 14.2 to 18.6%.

Discussing the figures were Rupert Stadler (Audi Chairman) and Axel Srotbek (Board Member for Finance), according to whom Audi is not just beating a new company record for earnings, but is also cementing its place as a brand of automobile with one of the highest earnings.

The success is due to increased sales (more than 964,000 units, an increase of 6.4%), to new models such as the Q7, the A5, the TT and the R8, and the popularity of the brand in emerging markets other than the traditional European ones.

Continue reading: Audi: 2007 profits

Audi will be showing tomorrow in Shanghai the Audi Cross Coupé Quattro, a sporty SUV concept car that (probably) anticipates the upcoming Q5.

The Cross Coupé is typically Audi, with a chromed single frame grill, à-la Allroad Quattro, with sporty proportions that somewhat recall the Roadjet Concept, large 20″ wheels and an electrically operated folding fabric roof.

The engine is a new common-rail 2.0-liter TDI engine, with power output of 204 ps and 400 Nm of torque. Is it chance that it has the exact same performance data as the recently announced 2.0-liter 4 cylinder bi-turbo engine from BMW ? This new engine also has a particulate filter and Bluetec system to reduce soot and NO_x emissions.

The Quattro permanent four wheel drive system is governed by a Haldex clutch, while the gearbox is the S-Tronic dual-clutch robotic transmission. The text of the Audi press release follows below the fold. (Audi Cross Coupe Quattro image gallery)

Continue reading: The Audi Cross Coupé Quattro Concept