Audi of America delivered 39,751 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026, down 15% from 46,758 a year earlier. The decline came despite double-digit growth across several core sedan and SUV lines, including the A3, A5, A6, Q3 and Q5. Through September, U.S. deliveries totaled 107,667 vehicles, a 16% decrease from the first nine months of 2025.
The results show a substantial divide between Audi’s combustion-powered lineup and its electric models. Growth across the brand’s established nameplates was outweighed by sharply lower e-tron deliveries, particularly the Q6 e-tron, which fell from 10,059 vehicles in the third quarter of 2025 to 619 this year.
Audi is positioning the performance of its recently introduced models as momentum for its next product launches. The company says the new Q9 and Q7 are planned to arrive in the fourth quarter, describing both as vehicles influenced by the requirements of the U.S. market.
Q5 LEADS, WHILE Q7 AND Q8 GAIN
The Q5 remained Audi’s highest-volume U.S. model, with 11,371 third-quarter deliveries, up 17%. Its year-to-date total reached 33,509 vehicles, a 3% increase, accounting for nearly one-third of Audi’s U.S. deliveries through September.
The Q3 followed with 6,960 deliveries, up 24% for the quarter. That improvement brought its year-to-date total to 17,866, although the model remained 2% below its comparable 2025 result.
Audi’s larger SUVs also posted substantial gains. Q7 deliveries increased 42% to 6,071 vehicles, while Q8 deliveries more than doubled, rising 103% to 4,095. The Q8 was also a notable year-to-date performer, with 10,439 deliveries representing a 33% increase. The Q7 remained down 4% through September despite its stronger quarter.
A3, A5 AND A6 POST DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH
Among Audi’s passenger cars, the A5 delivered the greatest volume, reaching 5,315 vehicles in the quarter, up 53%. Year-to-date deliveries increased 21% to 14,197.
The A3 rose 58% to 2,555 deliveries, with its nine-month total increasing 18% to 7,690. A6 deliveries grew 36% to 1,789 for the quarter and 24% to 6,052 through September. Audi reports the electric A6 Sportback e-tron separately from the A6 line.
The A8 also improved in the quarter, increasing 30% to 464 vehicles, although its year-to-date total of 977 remained down 12%. A7 deliveries declined 91% to 28 vehicles, while no A4 deliveries were recorded during the quarter.
ELECTRIC DELIVERIES DECLINE SHARPLY
The Q6 e-tron accounted for the largest numerical decline in the report, falling 94% year over year for the quarter. Its year-to-date deliveries totaled 1,555, down 91%. The separately reported Q6 Sportback e-tron delivered 191 vehicles in the quarter, down 20%, while its nine-month total increased 30% to 313.
Elsewhere in the electric lineup, A6 Sportback e-tron deliveries fell 95% to 182, and e-tron GT deliveries declined 84% to 102. Audi recorded eight Q4 e-tron deliveries and one Q4 Sportback e-tron delivery during the quarter. Neither Q8 e-tron body style recorded a delivery.
Combined, the separately listed electric models accounted for 1,103 third-quarter deliveries, compared with 18,071 a year earlier. The supplied report does not explain the individual declines or distinguish the effects of availability, inventory, incentives and customer demand.
KEY MODEL RESULTS
| Model line | Q3 2026 deliveries | Q3 change | 2026 year to date | YTD change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 | 2,555 | +58% | 7,690 | +18% |
| A5 | 5,315 | +53% | 14,197 | +21% |
| A6 | 1,789 | +36% | 6,052 | +24% |
| A6 Sportback e-tron | 182 | −95% | 524 | −86% |
| A8 | 464 | +30% | 977 | −12% |
| e-tron GT | 102 | −84% | 272 | −76% |
| Q3 | 6,960 | +24% | 17,866 | −2% |
| Q5 | 11,371 | +17% | 33,509 | +3% |
| Q6 e-tron | 619 | −94% | 1,555 | −91% |
| Q6 Sportback e-tron | 191 | −20% | 313 | +30% |
| Q7 | 6,071 | +42% | 13,754 | −4% |
| Q8 | 4,095 | +103% | 10,439 | +33% |
| Total Audi sales | 39,751 | −15% | 107,667 | −16% |
Source: Audi of America. Model-line totals include associated performance and body-style variants as specified in Audi’s reporting notes. Percentage changes are rounded.
Audi’s certified pre-owned business was comparatively stable, with 11,510 third-quarter sales, down 0.9%. Year-to-date CPO sales increased 3.2% to 36,263 vehicles.
The fourth-quarter Q7 and Q9 introductions will put additional emphasis on large SUVs following strong quarterly gains for the existing Q7 and Q8. Audi enters those launches with improving results across much of its core lineup, but a substantial overall sales deficit to recover.
