Volkswagen reported a 14.3% year-on-year decline in global vehicle deliveries in the third quarter of 2026, marking its steepest quarterly drop in more than four years, according to Reuters. Deliveries fell to 1.89 million vehicles as weakness in China, the group's largest market, continued to weigh on sales.
The decline was the sharpest since the second quarter of 2022, when Volkswagen's deliveries fell 22.4%.
Deliveries in China dropped 38.5% during the quarter and were down 30.2% in the first nine months of the year. The German automaker also recorded declines in North America and Western Europe, where deliveries fell 5.8% and 2.8%, respectively. Central and Eastern Europe was an exception, with deliveries increasing 1.4%.
German Carmakers Face Pressure in China Market
Martin Sander, a member of Volkswagen Group's extended executive committee, said the broader market downturn in China remained an industry-wide challenge.
Volkswagen's latest figures follow weaker delivery performances reported by Porsche and Mercedes-Benz last week, highlighting the pressure facing German automakers in the Chinese market.
Volkswagen EV Deliveries Dip Globally Despite Europe Growth
Global deliveries of battery-electric vehicles fell by around 5% during the quarter, despite an increase of nearly 20% in Europe. According to Reuters, weaker demand in China and increasing competition from domestic manufacturers contributed to the decline.