VOLKSWAGEN GROUP REPORTS FURTHER STRONG GROWTH IN DELIVERIES FOR OCTOBER

Posted 15th November, 2009 in Volkswagen | Leave a comment

The Volkswagen Group reported continued positive demand from customers in October, when a total of 557,300 (October 2008: 501,500; +11.1 percent)* vehicles were delivered. Europe’s largest automaker delivered 5.32 (January – October 2008: 5.29; +0.6 percent)** million vehicles to customers during the first ten months of this year. Cumulative deliveries for the current year thus overtook the corresponding prior-year figure for the first time. The global automobile market declined by approximately 10 percent over the same period.

“Overall developments are better than expected thanks to our market leadership in Germany, the growth markets of China and Brazil and to our young and environmentally friendly product range,” Detlef Wittig, Executive Vice President, Group Sales and Marketing, said in Wolfsburg on Friday. “Strong order books make us quietly optimistic about the coming months. However, global passenger car markets have not made a sustained recovery yet, so we are anticipating a particularly difficult and challenging year in 2010,” Wittig added.

Volkswagen brand grew deliveries in October by 17.0 percent

Delivery figures for the Volkswagen brand remained pleasing: in October, the core brand delivered 349,800 (299,000) passenger cars, representing an increase of 17.0 percent. The New Bora, Jetta and Passat Magotan models sold in China along with the Gol marketed in Brazil and the Polo and Golf were especially popular. 100,300 (64,000; +56.8 percent) vehicles were delivered in China and 54,000 (44,400; +21.6 percent) in Brazil. In Germany, Volkswagen reported a 33.6 percent increase to 63,100 (47,200) units. The brand delivered a total of 3.37 (3.11; +8.4 percent) million vehicles to customers during the first ten months of 2009.

Audi, Škoda and SEAT also report growth

Apart from Volkswagen, the other volume brands Škoda and SEAT as well as the premium brand Audi also grew deliveries in October. At Audi, success in China combined with growth in unit sales of the A5 and A6 and the Q5 model ranges produced a pleasing sales performance: deliveries in October ran at 82,800 (82,400) units, a rise of 0.4 percent on the same month in 2008. In Western Europe, the brand with the four rings consolidated its leading position in the premium segment from January to October.

The Czech brand Škoda delivered 65,600 (49,300; +33.0 percent) vehicles. Škoda enjoyed a good tailwind on the markets in China, Germany and the Czech Republic as well as the United Kingdom and India. Demand for the Fabia and Octavia models was particularly high. SEAT profited from positive developments on the German market and grew deliveries by 43.7 percent to 4,600 units. Overall, SEAT delivered 29,600 (29,000) vehicles in October, an increase of 1.9 percent.

Strong regional differences: above-average performance in China and Germany – slight growth in Europe and the USA

The very different trends in the individual sales regions continued in October. The Volkswagen Group reported further strong growth in the key markets of China and Germany. On the home market, deliveries grew by 26.0 percent to 116,100 (92,200) vehicles. In China, 128,900 (78,500) vehicles were delivered, an increase of 64.3 percent, representing the strongest percentage growth. In Brazil, the Volkswagen Group reported growth of 9.5 percent to 59,300 (54,200) units. 292,000 (288,500; +1.2 percent) vehicles were delivered in Europe. Volkswagen Group deliveries in the USA ran at 24,500 (23,500; +4.2 percent) vehicles. Demand for Audi A5 and Q5 as well as the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat CC was particularly high.

* excluding Scania
** excluding Scania, including Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Trucks and Buses for January/February 2009

[Source: VW]