Volkswagen Group sells more than 7 million vehicles for first time

• Full year 2010: 13.5 percent increase in deliveries to customers
• Strong 22.8 percent growth in December
• Group Board member for Sales Christian Klingler: "Forging ahead with international growth"

Developments on the global passenger car market were positive, too, although growth only ran at 11.3 percent and the Group therefore won further market share. The Volkswagen Group also reported growth for the month of December, delivering 545,400 (444,200)** units to customers, representing an increase of 22.8 percent.

"2010 once again showed we are forging ahead with our international growth and implementing our Strategy 2018," Group Board member for Sales Christian Klingler said on Monday at the motor show in Detroit. "In 2011, our focus on innovative products and top technologies will remain the foundation of our success," Klingler added.

Clearly positive trend on established markets and in growth regions

The Volkswagen Group enjoyed a pleasing delivery situation on all of its Asian markets in 2010. Deliveries in China grew 37.4 percent to 1.92 (1.40) million units, thereby setting a new record. There was a very substantial increase in deliveries in India, where the Group handed over 53,300 (19,000) vehicles to customers, a rise of 181 percent. The Group also reported a marked increase throughout the Asia/Pacific region, with deliveries running at 2.14 (1.55; +38.5 percent) million units.

The picture was similar in other regions of the world. The Volkswagen Group delivered a total 888,000 (815,100) vehicles to customers in South America, representing an increase of 8.9 percent. In the USA, the Group brands delivered 360,300 (298,000) units during the twelve-month period, corresponding to growth of 20.9 percent.

In Western Europe (excluding Germany), the Group delivered 1.85 (1.66; +11.6 percent) million vehicles, therefore performing noticeably better than the overall market which only grew 1.9 percent for the year. 10.8 percent more vehicles were delivered to customers in Central and Eastern Europe (423,200; 381,900). The Group's growth in Russia was very pleasing (+39.5 percent).

On its home market of Germany, the Volkswagen Group delivered 1.04 (1.24; -16.8 percent) million vehicles to customers in a year characterized by the effects of the scrapping premium. Since the overall market declined significantly during the last twelve months, contracting by 23.4 percent, the Group was able to expand its market share further.

In 2010, Group models such as the Volkswagen Polo, Golf, Lavida, Tiguan and Passat CC, the Audi A1, A5 Sportback and the Q5, the Škoda Yeti and Octavia models, as well as the SEAT Ibiza Sporttourer and Exeo Sporttourer were particularly popular.

Significant boost in deliveries for Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi and Škoda brands

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand also reported a new record for last year, with deliveries growing 13.9 percent to 4.50 (3.95) million units. In China, the brand's largest single market, deliveries rose by 35.5 percent to 1.51 (1.12) million units. In the USA, 256,800 (213,500; +20.3 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers. In Russia, vehicle deliveries even grew year-on-year by as much as 49.1 percent (58,900; 39,500).

Audi delivered 1.09 (0.95; +15.0 percent) million vehicles to customers in 2010, giving the Ingolstadt-based brand its best sales figures ever. One contributory factor was deliveries to customers in the USA, where Audi sold more than 100,000 units for the first time (101,600; 82,700; +22.9 percent). Developments in China over the past twelve months were also very positive, with deliveries increasing by 43.4 percent (227,900; 158,900).

The Czech automaker Škoda delivered 762,600 (684,200; +11.5 percent) vehicles during the last twelve months, thus continuing its growth path. The brand grew in China, India and Russia in particular.

The Spanish brand SEAT delivered 339,500 (336,700; +0.8 percent) vehicles worldwide in 2010. On its home market of Spain, the company reported an increase of 10.0 percent, delivering a total of 91,300 (83,000) units to customers.

Worldwide deliveries by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles grew noticeably last year, up by 20.5 percent to 435,600 (361,500) units. On West European markets (excluding Germany), the company grew 21.0 percent to 130,400 (107,800) units, in Russia deliveries grew 27.8 percent (7,200; 5,700), and in South America growth was as high as 67.4 percent (113,700; 67,900).

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