Volkswagen Group with first-quarter delivery record

The Volkswagen Group finished the first quarter of 2011 with a significant increase in vehicle deliveries. The company handed over 1.97 (January-March 2010: 1.73) million vehicles from January to March, a new all-time high for this period. The 13.7 percent increase means Europe's largest automaker also clearly outperformed the overall market, which grew 8.1 percent. Furthermore, the Group reported a delivery record for the month of March, when 767,200 (March 2010: 709,500; +8.1 percent) vehicles were delivered to customers for the first time. "Developments in the first quarter were excellent. Growth regions such as China, India or Russia again produced a strong performance. And delivery figures for our innovative and young model range remained high in the mature markets in Western Europe and North America as well," Group Board member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg on Friday.

The Group brands delivered 621,800 (505,900; +22.9 percent) vehicles to customers in the Asia / Pacific region, of which 548,500 (457,300; +19.9 percent) were handed over in China, the region's largest single market. Volkswagen also reported strong growth in India, where 28,100 (7,900; +256.7 percent) vehicles were handed over to their new owners.

The Group grew deliveries in the South America region as well: In the first quarter Volkswagen handed over 220,900 (214,600; +2.9 percent) vehicles to customers. The situation in the North America region was also positive, with 143,900 (122,100; +17.9 percent) vehicles delivered. On the US market, 92,800 (80,000; +16.1 percent) were handed over to customers.

The Volkswagen Group also reported growth in Europe. In Western Europe (excluding Germany), 532,000 (499,000; +6.6 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers. The Group brands reported an increase of 30.7 percent in Central and Eastern Europe, delivering 109,200 (83,500) vehicles in the region in the first quarter. On its home market of Germany, the Volkswagen Group achieved 5.0 percent growth, delivering 267,300 (254,400) vehicles.

Higher deliveries for all Group brands

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand recorded a strong first quarter and delivered 1.23 (1.11) million vehicles worldwide, representing 10.4 percent growth. The brand developed well in China, its largest single market, where 429,500 (362,600; +18.5 percent) vehicles were handed over. In the North America region, Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 15.5 percent more vehicles (106,300; 92,000) during the same period, in the Central and Eastern Europe region the brand reported a rise of 36.0 percent to 37,200 (27,300) vehicles.

Audi delivered 312,600 (264,000; +18.4 percent) vehicles worldwide from January to March. The premium brand from Ingolstadt grew in all regions. Contributory factors included continued growth in China, where the brand delivered 64,100 (51,400; +24.6 percent) vehicles. Audi also grew deliveries in the USA, where 25,400 (21,300; +19.1 percent) units were handed over to customers. On its home market of Germany, Audi delivered 13.7 percent more vehicles (56,300; 49,500).

The Czech automaker Škoda also continued on its growth path in the first quarter, delivering 217,100 (178,900; +21.4 percent) units. Škoda developed particularly well in Central and Eastern Europe, where 51,300 (39,700; +29.4 percent) vehicles were delivered from January to March. In the Asia / Pacific region the Czech brand delivered 31.0 percent (63,500; 48,500) more vehicles.

SEAT delivered 90,800 (88,300) vehicles worldwide during the first three months of the year, an increase of 2.8 percent. The Spanish brand reported a strong rise in Germany, delivering 12,600 (10,100; +24.5 percent) vehicles to customers there. Developments in Italy (5,400; 4,500; +19.5 percent) and France (10,200; 8,500; +19.7 percent) were also pleasing.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles enjoyed significant first-quarter growth of 36.2 percent, delivering 121,200 (89,000) light commercial vehicles. 25,900 (24,200; +7.4 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers on the home market of Germany. Deliveries in the rest of Europe developed very well: The number of vehicles delivered in Western Europe (excluding Germany) rose to 39,400 (29,400; +33.8 percent), while the figure for Central and Eastern Europe increased to 7,300 (4,500; +64.2 percent) units.