Audi celebrates 100 years & Q5 launch at MIMS

By Matt Brogan | March 02nd, 2009

Audi Australia has launched its new Q5 SUV at the Melbourne International Motor Show while at the same time celebrating its 100th birthday.

Brand Ambassadors, Jennifer Hawkins, Sandra Sully, Todd Woodbridge and Shannon Bennett were all at the show to help Audi kick off festivities with Audi Australia managing director, Joerg Hofmann.

Australian entertainment icon, Kate Ceberano, joined the line-up at the stand.

JasonP

Geez, not often that Sandra Sully kinda blends into the background…….
http://www.ausringers.com Liam

Who the hell is Shannon Bennett?
Wheelnut

Shouldn’t Jennifer Hawkins be on the Nissan Stand next to the 370Z?
Buck

Why the constant need to hype up new model releases with glamourous women ?

Shouldn’t the new vehicle speak for itself.
This is brand promotion taken too far in tougher economic times.

As if anyone will be buying a new Audi Q5 just because some pretty women were standing right next to it.

Surely people arn’t really that easily influenced ?
Devil666

“Do you come with the car?”
“Oh you! Hehehe!”

*Next guy walks past*

“Do you come with the car?”
“Oh you! Hehehe!”
Myke

^I’d be influenced against this car considering Kate Ceberano is there. Didn’t know Audis were the choice of crazy Scientologists.
Boney Maroney

Liam, Shannon is a dude in bad need of some sort of haircut or hairstyle, I thought audi would have seen to that before getting his mug near the car. Bar that….dunno who he is
Marcoz

i’ll take the audi q5 and jennifer hawkins, GOD SHE IS SOOOO FN SEXY….sexiest woman in australia if not most parts of the world….yes indeed….
kgl

yeah id lose interest due to ceberano to, i had the misfortune of hearing her sing live.. i wasn’t aware myke that she was a scientologist, this just turns my irrational dislike of her into a rational dislike.

But I agree, seeing a star with a car doesn’t make me anymore likely to buy one.
The Realist

Buck Says:
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
“Why the constant need to hype up new model releases with glamourous women ? Shouldn’t the new vehicle speak for itself.
This is brand promotion taken too far in tougher economic times.”

What’s the difference between this and spending money on advertisements? Ultimately it comes down to attracting customers, and if Audi think they can attract more buyers through spending money on atrocious TV presenters like SS then that’s their choice. Audi can spend its money where it wants…

“As if anyone will be buying a new Audi Q5 just because some pretty women were standing right next to it.
Surely people arn’t really that easily influenced ?”

Compare the sales of Audi and Ford… perhaps Ford need to hire a few B list Aussie celebrities too…
http://www.AUSringers.com Liam

Well, I reckon the Audi presentation was one of the better ones on the day, so thumbs up to them for that.

Having Jennifer Hawkins et al is as much about attracting media recognition and therefore more attention to the brand. Ergo, you might not buy an Audi because Hawkins was on the stand, however, because she attracts media and helps keep Audi’s name up in the spotlight you might be more inclined to automatically think of Audi when you’re next buying a car.

Apart from that, I was standing about a metre away from her at one stage, and she is very cute, haha.

Oh, I’ve since worked out Shannon Bennett is a fancy chef with quite a resume in Europe, and he now runs a flash French restaurant in Melbourne.
spetty

The Realist.I would think in Australia Ford would sell more cars than Audi?
JasonP

Myke & KGL,

LOL! Means we can’t watch Tom Cruise jumping up & down on couches, nor Madonna sing, nor Travolta dance, nor….

Yeah, you’re right, there’s no downside….
Myke

^Jason, first off Madonna isn’t a Scientology and wouldn’t want to here her sing anyway . I just thinking it wouldn’t do Audi any favours having endorsements from someone who believes in aliens.