The 18 per cent increase over 2006 volumes meant the German brand achieved an end-of-year total of 100,864.

The result placed Audi well ahead of rival Mercedes-Benz, which racked up sales of 81,321 units, but well behind BMW, which recorded its seventh consecutive record sales year with 121,575 units.

Director of Audi UK Jeremy Hicks said that the figure was all the more impressive given that it was achieved at a time when demand significantly outstripped supply. “This milestone figure has been reached in spite of widespread production limitations,” said Hicks. “With waiting lists for a number of models we have moved almost entirely to a position where cars are built to customer order”. Audi has benefitted from the launch of several new products this year – notably the Q7 SUV and A5 Coupe – which took the total number of models in its range to 25. The brand said it had also benefitted from the opening of new dealerships in Cardiff and Birmingham and its high street presence would be bolstered further when the world's largest Audi site opens in West London later this year.