Volkswagen Group delivers 2.27-million vehicles in first quarter

The Volkswagen Group delivered 2.27- (January-March 2012: 2.16; +5.1 per cent)* million vehicles from January to March. The company handed over 864,400 (March 2012: 862,700; +0.2 percent)* vehicles to customers in the month of March.

"The Volkswagen
Group showed stable development at a high level in the first quarter and performed slightly better than the overall passenger car market. Positive momentum was maintained in North America and China. Almost all other regions, however, particularly the markets in Western Europe, remain affected by uncertainty which is in some cases considerable. The data for March clearly show that the markets are becoming even more difficult," said Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler in Wolfsburg.

Group brands delivered 881,600 (936,900; -5.9 per cent) vehicles on the overall European market in the first quarter as demand for vehicles took a general downturn; of this figure, 477,400 (507,100; -5.9 per cent) units were handed over in Western Europe (excluding Germany). In the home market of Germany, 262,100 (282,400; -7.2 per cent) customers took possession of a new car, while Europe's largest automaker delivered 142,100 (147,400; -3.6 per cent) vehicles in the Central and Eastern Europe region. The delivery trend in Russia remained slightly positive, with 67,300 (66,000; +2 per cent) units handed over to customers.

Developments on the American continent were mixed. Deliveries in the North America region from January to March grew 14.9 per cent to 205,700 (179,100), of which 142,800 (124,400; +14.7 per cent) vehicles were delivered in the United States. In the South America region, on the other hand, there was a 4.5 per cent decline to 219,200 (229,400) units, of which 160,600 (164,500; -2.4 per cent) vehicles were handed over in Brazil.

Group figures for the Asia-Pacific region remained encouraging. 860,700 (726,100; +18.5 per cent) vehicles were handed over to customers there in the first quarter, of which 769,200 (633,900; +21.3 per cent) units were delivered in China, the Group's largest single market. Deliveries in India, however, fell to 25,900 (34,100; -24 per cent) units.

* including deliveries by the Porsche brand from August 1, 2012; excluding MAN and Scania

Posted in: Asia Pacific,Brazil,China,Christian Klingler,Europe,First Quarter,Germany,International,January,March,North America,Russia,Sale Report,South America,Volkswagen