Not a Good Time to Buy Audi Right Now

Audi currently has a limited supply of vehicles and car shoppers are clamouring to buy the ones that are still left. This is a classic sellers market which means Audi dealers don't have much motivation to negotiate on price.

The reason for the limited inventory is due in part to Audi's mistake in forecasting 2009 sales. They had allocated 6,000 fewer vehicles for the US market in expectation that sales would slow down near the end of the year.

Sales actually increased in the later part of 2009 and Audi ended up with a 35% rise in first quarter sales this year compared to last.

Audi has an average 29-days worth of supply on dealer lots at the moment. Most car manufacturers consider a 60-day supply to be optimal so that consumers can have a decent selection of colors and options to choose from.

The models with the greatest shortage are the Audi Q5 and Q7.

Your best bet is to wait a few months and hope Audi supply catches up with demand. Audi will be allocating 3,000 additional vehicles to the US market this year, so hopefuly that will help move transaction prices lower.