Volkswagen Group worldwide sales down 3.5 percent in Jan-Oct

From January to October, the Volkswagen Group handed over 8.26 million vehicles to customers globally. The worldwide deliveries, however, did not present a uniform picture. Sales of the Volkswagen brand in certain markets reflected especially the current diesel issue as a result of sales stoppages for the vehicles affected, as a result of which sales fell by 5.3 percent in October. At the same time, the Audi premium brand grew deliveries (+2.0 percent), and there was a significant increase at sports car manufacturer Porsche (+18.2 percent). As regards the various markets, there was a downward trend in Europe (-1.5 percent) at the same time as growth in North America (+6.8 percent). While the market situation in South America remains challenging, the Group deliveries in China rose slightly in October (+1.6 percent).

In the entire Asia-Pacific sales region, the Group delivered 3.21 million vehicles in the first 10 months of the year, with China, the largest single market, accounting for 2.89 million units.

The Group also recorded growth in North America, with 773,600 units delivered from January to October. Most of these vehicles, 505,900 units, were handed over in the United States, representing growth of 3.4 percent. In South America, where the situation remained challenging, deliveries by the Group fell by a noteworthy 26.4 percent. Deliveries in Brazil, at 337,300 units, were the key factor in this development.

In the region of Western Europe, 2.90 million customers received a new vehicle in the year to October, representing growth of 5.4 percent. The situation in Germany however remained positive, with deliveries up by 4.1 percent. The Volkswagen Group also recorded significant rises in Spain (+16.3 percent) and Italy (+8.6 percent). As a result of the tense situation in Russia (-37.0 percent), a further downturn indeliveries was recorded in Central and Eastern Europe. In the period to October, the Group handed over 506,700 vehicles in this region.

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- India Sales Analysis: October 2015