New York Welcomes Audi Park Avenue
5 December 1997
New York Welcomes Audi Park Avenue
NEW YORK, Dec. 5 -- A number of New York and international
dignitaries were on hand today to celebrate the gala grand opening of Audi
Park Avenue. The festivities were presided over by the Tony Award winning
actor Christopher Plummer, who most recently starred in "Barrymore" on
Broadway. Representing New York City in the ribbon cutting ceremony was Mr.
Charles Millard, President of the New York City Economic Development
Corporation and Chairman of the New York City Industrial Development Agency.
A lane of Park Avenue was closed in front of the dealership during the
celebration with the daring new Audi A6 displayed on an elevated platform and
spotlights lighting up the evening sky.
Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, remarks were made by Dr. Jens
Neumann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and Chairman of
the North American Region, and Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Speaker of the Board
of Management of Audi AG.
To commemorate becoming a true member of the New York community, Audi made
a $10,000 donation to the Ronald McDonald House and a $10,000 donation to The
Boys' Club of New York. On hand to receive the checks from Drs. Neumann and
Paefgen were Vivian Harris, President of the Ronald McDonald House, and Linda
Hickox, Trustee and former Women's Board President of The Boys' Club of New
York.
Located at 250 Park Avenue, Audi Park Avenue is the first of what Audi
plans to be a number of showcase dealerships in key cities around the globe.
"We selected New York City for our first opening because of the resurgence of
Audi in the American market and the importance of New York in the global
consciousness," said Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen. "New York is where trends are
set and opinions made. It is a key community for the U.S. and the world, and
we wanted to be a full fledged citizen of that community."
The interior of the 6,450 square foot facility was designed to reflect
Audi's German heritage and history of advanced design. The design of Audi
Park Avenue was a joint effort by Jon Greenberg and Associates, Inc. of
Southfield, Michigan, and Grid/3 International of New York City.
It features seven cars in its floorplan, and is a place for people to see
and buy the full line of Audis from the entry level A4 1.8 T through the
revolutionary A8 with its all aluminum Audi Space Frame and body panels. It
is being sponsored by Audi of America, Inc. in partnership with its
Manhattan-based dealer Zumbach Sports Cars, Ltd., and will be open to the
public for the first time on Saturday, December 6th.
Audi has enjoyed a resurgence in the American market over the last two
years with a 51.1 percent sales increase in 1996 and a 44.1 percent increase
in 1995. Audi's 1997 year-to-date sales are up 25.2 percent over last year
through November.
SOURCE Audi of America, Inc.
