The Ingolstadt-based carmaker has reported operating profit up by 108.2% to €3,340 million (compared to €1,604 million for 2009) while revenue rose by 18.8% to €35,441 million (€29,840 million).

The company increased its operating return on sales to 9.4% (5.4% ). Return on investment also reached a new peak, at 24.7% (11.5%).

'The operating profit of €3.34 billion shows how profitable Audi is. We are growing not only in China, but in many regions around the world. The Audi brand has outpaced the growth of the overall market, especially in the United States,' said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG. 

The marque has attributed its success to a wide number of new product launches in the past year includin the A8, the A7 Sportback and the Audi A1.

'These new record levels for all key financial indicators underscore the high competitiveness of the Audi brand,' said Axel Strotbek, Board Member for Finance and Organization at Audi AG.

The carmaker has also reported record results for deliveries in more than 40 markets. A total of 1.09 million vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide – up 15.0% compared with the previous year.

Sales were strong in the Asia-Pacific sales region as well as Western Europe and particularly in the United States.

Audi says the signs for 2011 are good.

'We expect continued growth in the overall economy this year, even if there is a slight weakening in comparison with the previous year,' Mr Stadler said. 'Nonetheless, we have to remain alert, since the unpredictability of the financial and raw materials markets still carry a risk.

'We’ve started the year off well and we’re targeting more than 1.2 million deliveries to customers for the total year,' he added.