Volkswagen Group starts year with strong increase in deliveries

It shows the Volkswagen Group and its brands are in an excellent position to meet the complex demands of the global market," Group Board member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg on Friday. "Despite the good figures, we continue to monitor developments on world markets closely."

• Group delivers 19.6 percent more vehicles in January
• Group Board member for Sales Christian Klingler: "Very pleasing start to year for all Group brands"

Positive developments on all established markets and in all growth regions

The dynamic sales situation on Asian markets continued for the Volkswagen Group in January. The Group brands delivered 239,500 (180,800; +32.5 percent) vehicles to customers in the Asia / Pacific region, of which 217,900 (166,900; +30.6 percent) units were handed over in China, the region's largest single market. Volkswagen also reported strong growth in India, where deliveries ran at 7,400 (2,500) vehicles, nearly triple the number for the comparable prior-year period.

The Group also grew deliveries in the South America region: In January, the company handed over 21.6 percent (74,700; 61,400) more vehicles to customers. The situation in the North America region was also positive, with 41,900 (38,300; +9.4 percent) vehicles delivered. On the US market, 26,300 (24,600; +6.8 percent) models were handed over to customers.

The Volkswagen Group also reported growth in Europe. In Western Europe (excluding Germany), 156,800 (147,200; +6.5 percent) new vehicles were delivered to customers. The Group brands recorded an increase of 30.0 percent in Central and Eastern Europe, delivering 31,000 (23,800) vehicles in the region. On its home market of Germany, the Volkswagen Group achieved 4.3 percent growth, delivering 74,800 (71,800) vehicles.

Group brands report increased deliveries

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 418,800 (359,400) vehicles worldwide in January, representing 16.5 percent growth. The brand developed particularly well in China, its largest single market, where 175,000 (135,200; +29.4 percent) vehicles were handed over. Volkswagen Passenger Cars grew deliveries in the Central and Eastern Europe region during the same period to 10,000 (7,600) units, an increase of 31.9 percent.

Audi delivered 95,400 (77,800; +22.6 percent) vehicles worldwide in January. The premium brand from Ingolstadt grew in all regions during the first month of the year. Contributory factors included continued strong growth in China, where the brand delivered 22,200 (16,800; +32.1 percent) vehicles, and the USA, where 7,800 (6,500; +20.0 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers.

The Czech automaker Škoda continued its growth path in January, delivering 68,400 (54,100; +26.4 percent) units. China was once again the strongest market, with Škoda deliveries there growing 40.0 percent (20,500; 14,700). The company also developed well in Europe, delivering 19,200 (15,700; +22.4 percent) models in Western Europe (excluding Germany), and 15,300 (11,800; +29.4 percent) models in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Spanish brand SEAT delivered 25,700 (24,300) vehicles worldwide in January, an increase of 5.7 percent. SEAT reported a marked increase of 36.3 percent in Germany, delivering 3,500 (2,600) vehicles to customers there. Developments in France were also pleasing, with SEAT delivering 3,200 (2,100; +51.7 percent) models to customers.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles enjoyed strong growth of 57.9 percent in January, delivering 35,700 (22,600) light commercial vehicles. 7,500 (5,500; +35.8 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers in the company's home market of Germany. Deliveries to the rest of Europe also developed very well. The number of vehicles delivered in Western Europe (excluding Germany) rose to 11,700 (7,500; +55.2 percent), while the figure for Central and Eastern Europe grew to 1,900 (1,100; +69.5 percent)