The decline is largely attributed to a significant slump in global sales volumes and the impact of new trade tariffs imposed by the United States.
While net profit saw a downturn, the group—which oversees the Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ducati brands—actually saw its operating profit rise by 9.6% to 588 million euros.
This boost was reflected in a sales profitability margin of 4.2%, an improvement over the 3.5% recorded during the same period in 2025. However, total revenue fell by 8.1% to 14.178 billion euros.
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The quarterly results highlight a sharp divide in regional markets:
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Europe: Sales grew by 5.3%, showing resilience in the brand’s home market.
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United States: Sales plummeted by 29.9%. The company cited the double blow of new tariffs and a cooling interest in electric vehicles (EVs) following the removal of government subsidies.
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China: Revenue contribution from the Chinese market crashed from 170 million euros last year to just 28 million euros this quarter. A 12.1% sales drop was fueled by macroeconomic uncertainty and the end of local tax exemptions.
The group also struggled with its transition to electric mobility, as Audi-branded EV sales fell by 9.4% in the first three months of the year. Despite these challenges, the company maintains an optimistic outlook for the remainder of 2026, forecasting total annual revenue between 63 and 68 billion euros and a target operating margin of 6% to 8%.
