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Audi replaces Mercedes as official vehicle supplier to the IOC

The automotive sponsor of the International Olympic Committee for the past 22 years has been Daimler-Benz. No more, as Audi has just signed a four-year deal to be the official auto supplier to the folks who keep the torch alight and on the move. Audi will supply vehicles for the IOC's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland and the organization's international events.
In case you're remembering all the stories about BMW and the London Olympics last summer and wondering where Mercedes-Benz was in all of that, the answer lies in the numerous mouths at the Olympic trough. The IOC is the organization and oversight body of the Olympics - much like the way the FIA oversees world motorsport. BMW, though, sponsored the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, so during the games IOC reps rode in Benzes, LOCOG and its guest dignitaries rode in BMWs.
The Volkswagen Group has other ties with the Olympics as well: The Group will be the official vehicle partner for the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014, and Audi currently partners the national Olympic federations of Germany, Finland, Russia and Switzerland. The press release below announcing the partnership has all the official details.

Audi recalls 850,000 A4 models globally for airbags that won't deploy

Audi has announced that it will be recalling 850,000 A4 sedans, wagons and Allroad models across the globe due to a software problem that could prevent the front airbags from deploying. All 850,000 vehicles were built after 2012.
Audi has already adjusted production of new A4s to eliminate the software glitch. Meanwhile, the German manufacturer was quick to emphasize that Takata did not manufacture the affected airbags.
According to Reuters, 250,000 of the affected A4s were built for the Chinese market, while another 150,000 were sold in Germany. Audi didn't provide a breakdown beyond those two countries, although it'd be a surprise if there weren't at least some affected airbags in the US market.

Audi on Demand pilot program launches in San Francisco

Customers eager to drive a new Audi but unwilling or unable to plunk down the purchase price for one will be intrigued by the launch of the new Audi on Demand program. Initially being rolled out in San Francisco, Audi on Demand is based around an iPhone app that allows clients to order up a new Audi of their choosing on a day-by-day basis for up to 28 days in a row. Order an Audi through the app and a "personal concierge" will deliver the car anywhere in the city – curbside, driveway, parking lot, office building... pretty much anywhere the customer chooses. The concierge will even help set up the audio and navigation systems to the customer's preferences. And if the customer isn't there to receive the vehicle in person, he or she can simply unlock it through the app, start it up and drive off. The service is being made available on a broad range of Audi models, from the A4 all the way up to the R8. Customers can even specify a child seat or (on an Allroad or Q5) a ski or bike rack, and are guaranteed that the vehicle they select will be the one they get, right down to the color and trim. Though being launched at first only in San Francisco, Audi says it will roll out the program in other American cities "in the coming years." In announcing the program, Audi also revealed that it's planning to launch Audi at Home as well, a "micro-sharing" service that will allow residents of select condo complexes to share a fleet of Audis as well. These, of course, are just the latest smartphone-enabled conveniences being introduced by the German automaker, following its collaboration with Amazon and DHL for in-trunk delivery. Related Video: Audi launches innovative mobility program: Audi on demand April 27, 2015 | SAN FRANCISCO, California - Audi on demand launches beta program in San Francisco - Innovative premium service allows customers to choose their preferred Audi model via iPhone app - Personal concierge delivers vehicle to a San Francisco location of customer's choosing Audi today introduced Audi on demand, an innovative mobility program that gives customers a new way to experience the Audi brand and its range of vehicles at the touch of a button. With Audi on demand, customers can reserve an Audi by the day for up to 28 days. The premium service is currently available in San Francisco as part of a beta program and will be rolled out across additional U.S. cities in the coming years.