Audi has issued a press release announcing that it will advertise during the Super Bowl for the fourth consecutive year. Buying ad time is usually a non-newsworthy affair, but a single 30-second spot during the Big Game represents a financial commitment of $3 million or more. That's a fairly hefty chunk of Audi's annual ad spending budget here in the States, so why do it?

Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America, says that buying ad time during the Super Bowl has led to "record levels of awareness and showroom traffic with national consideration numbers showing significant spikes post game." That's a big deal for a luxury automaker looking to grow big during the next few years. The four-ringed automaker has managed to achieve record sales in the U.S. over the past few years in spite of the down market for autos.

Past Super Bowl commercials from Audi include the "Green Police" ad featuring the A3 TDI and a 2009 spot featuring Jason Statham chasing down luxury competitors. Audi isn't talking about the theme for the 2011 spots just yet, but we're going to go ahead and place our bet on the 2012 A6 making its way to the big stage. Hit the jump to read over the press release from Audi.


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