Is there a reason as to why German cars are now priced way below their Japanese competitors?

Hey guys so I've noticed that the new 2012 Audi A6 is now priced way below it competitors at $41,000 compared to it rivals like the Lexus Gs, Infiniti M37 & BMW 5 series that price thousands more. And even so the 2011 BMW 528i seems cheaper then the 2012 Infiniti M37 which is now priced like a Mercedes E-class at like $48,500 nevertheless a great car but why is this? Has Audi decontented their vehicles inorder to make them more affordable? I mean the new A6 looks amazing now but why have they been priced so cheaply & why are Lexus and Infiniti's priced so expensive now!?