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Audi Posts Minimal Profit in Third Quarter

Mobility2 min read

Audi, the car brand owned by Volkswagen, made only a very small profit in the third quarter of 2025. Its profit fell 87 percent, and the company is cutting its full-year outlook.

Audi barely stays out of the red

Audi says it earned only 95 million euros after taxes in the third quarter. That is 87 percent less than a year earlier. Audi is part of a group that also includes Lamborghini, Bentley and Ducati, and this group is in a deepening financial crisis. The company now expects lower profits for the whole year. Its finance chief, Jürgen Rittersberger, says the fourth quarter should be better.

Key numbers

  • Third-quarter profit: 95 million euros (down 87 percent from 718 million euros a year earlier)
  • Profit for the first nine months: 1.22 billion euros
  • Revenue for the first nine months: 42 billion euros
  • Mercedes made 1.52 billion euros in profit in the same quarter
  • BMW will publish its numbers next week

Why Audi is struggling

Audi says several things are hurting it. Car sales in China have dropped, especially for cars with combustion engines. Chinese car makers are competing harder and are pushing more cars into Europe. Energy prices have risen because of unrest in the Middle East, and US tariffs add more costs. All German car makers face these problems, but Audi is hit especially hard. It has no factory of its own in the United States, and it is also changing several important car models.

Why this matters

Audi plans to cut costs and make its structure more efficient. It has not said clearly what this means for its German factories. An earlier agreement already plans to cut up to 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029. There is also talk that the Neckarsulm plant could close. Audi's chief, Gernot Döllner, has also faced criticism after appearing with US President Donald Trump, which adds pressure on the company.

What to watch

  • Whether Audi announces concrete cost cuts for its German plants
  • Talks with the works council about new savings measures
  • Whether the fourth quarter improves, as the finance chief expects
  • BMW's quarterly results, due next week
  • Whether the criticism of CEO Gernot Döllner grows or fades

Glossary

Audi
A German car maker in the Volkswagen group that builds premium cars.
Volkswagen
A large German car group that owns brands such as Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Ducati.
Neckarsulm
A German town where Audi has a car factory.

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