The mainland is still on the priority list of Audi, with the country offering more comprehensive infrastructure and more growth potential for global carmakers than other developing markets such as India.
'We aim at 18 per cent to 20 per cent sales growth by the end of the year and to maintain the 47 per cent share of the premium car market,' said Jurgen Trini, head of sales and marketing for China and Hong Kong.
'We've invested in China for 20 years. It takes a long time to deal with India's system.'
Audi entered India in 2004 but expects to sell only 1,000 vehicles by 2009.
Audi, the official car of the mainland government with its manufacturing plant in Changchun, is the leader in China's premium car market share followed by BMW, which has 15 per cent sales and 4 per cent for DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz.
Audi posted a 27 per cent increase in sales to 49,267 vehicles in the first half of the year, surpassing growth of overall car sales in the mainland.
Mr Trini said the premium car sector comprised a mere 4 per cent of the market which has total sales of 3.83 million units. He estimated the nation's passenger car market would grow to six million units in the next two to three years.
