"Audi has an opportunity to be better than the market," Stadler said, adding he expected the market to grow 2 percent to 3 percent.

The European market is expected to remain little changed.

Stadler said Audi expected to decide on whether to build the R8 e-tron electric sports car some time in the first quarter.

Audi is owned by Volkswagen.

(Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)