Volkswagen Group reports 19.1 percent growth in deliveries in November

2.0 percent cumulative rise in deliveries to November • Volkswagen brand records 25.8 percent growth • Audi, Škoda and SEAT also report positive development • Slight rise in full year deliveries expected

The Volkswagen Group reported its strongest growth in global vehicles deliveries so far this year in November. An increase of 19.1 percent to 531,300 (November 2008: 446,000)* vehicles again surpassed the positive trend of previous months. In the first eleven months of this year, 5.85 (January-November 2008: 5.73; +2.0 percent)** million vehicles were delivered to customers.

 

"We have exceeded our expectations so far this year. That shows our Group brands are on the right track with our environmentally-friendly model range tailored to the specific needs of the markets," Detlef Wittig, Executive Vice President, Group Sales and Marketing, said in Wolfsburg on Friday. The Volkswagen Group expects a slight increase in deliveries for the full year.

 

Wittig commented there were, however, still no signs yet of a robust improvement on international automotive markets next year. "The coming year will be extremely difficult. Very different developments are expected on markets around the world. While the upward trend in China is anticipated to continue, we expect a marked decline on the European market in particular. So we cannot give the all-clear yet," Wittig added.

 

Very good trend on growth markets continues

Europe's largest automaker reported further perceptible growth on its core markets of Germany, China and Brazil. In November, Volkswagen recorded a 72.9 percent rise in deliveries in China, its largest market, to 133,700 (77,300) vehicles. The increase for the entire Asia/Pacific region was 68.9 percent, with deliveries totaling 146,500 (86,800) units.

 

On the home market of Germany, deliveries went up by 18.6 percent to 102,000 (86,000) vehicles. The positive effects of the scrapping premium, which has since expired, were still evident on this market in November. In Western Europe (excluding Germany), Group deliveries rose by 7.3 percent to 139,200 (129,700) units.

 

Volkswagen Group deliveries in the USA were at 23,200 (21,400; +8.7 percent) units. 4,300 (3,600) vehicles were sold in Canada.

 

64,300 (50,700; +26.7 percent) vehicles were delivered to customers in South America in November. Developments on the Brazilian market remained very encouraging, with the Volkswagen brand alone delivering 53,800 (39,600; +35.9 percent) vehicles on this market.

 

On many automotive markets, though, the situation remains tense. Volkswagen could only partially escape this trend. Group deliveries in Central and Eastern Europe, for example, fell by 21.4 percent to 31,300 (39,800) units. Volkswagen nevertheless performed significantly better than the total market in this region, which contracted by 41 percent.

 

Strong demand for Group volume brands in November

Volkswagen Passenger Cars reported a noticeable 25.8 percent rise in deliveries to 334,500 (266,000) units in the month under review. The cumulative increase for the first eleven months is 9.8 percent, corresponding to 3.7 (3.4) million vehicles. Demand for almost all model series was positive, particularly with regard to the Golf and Polo versions and the Lavida, Passat Lingyu and New Bora models sold in China. The brand recorded a 30.2 percent increase in deliveries in Germany to 55,200 (42,400) units, and a 63.1 percent rise in China to 105,900 (65,000) vehicles.

 

Audi again defended its strong position in November and delivered 82,760 (75,965; +8.9 percent) vehicles worldwide. The premium brand enjoyed particularly strong growth in China, with deliveries climbing 101.9 percent.

 

The Czech brand Škoda also reported very pleasing figures for November. The number of vehicles delivered rose by 26.0 percent to 55,500 (44,000) units. Apart from Germany and China, growth was also strong on key West European markets and in India. Demand for the Fabia, the newly launched Yeti and the Octavia was particularly high.

 

SEAT delivered 27,900 (25,800; +8.0 percent) vehicles in November, with the situation improving on all key West European markets. In Germany, deliveries grew 53.0 percent to 4,700 (3,100) units. 7,700 (5,700) vehicles were delivered on the home market of Spain, representing an increase of 36.1 percent.

 

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