Volkswagen Group reports delivery record for 2009

Deliveries to customers grow 1.1 percent to 6.29 million vehicles World market share rises to 11.4* (2008: 10.3) percent Volkswagen brand deliveries increase by 7.8 percent to 3.95 million vehicles

Group sales and marketing chief Christian Klingler: "Innovative model range and broad market presence strengthen competitive position"

The Volkswagen Group set a new delivery record in 2009, topping the prior-year figure. A total of 6.29 (2008: 6.23; +1.1 percent)** million vehicles were delivered to customers. In contrast, the world passenger car market contracted by over 6 percent. In a difficult economic environment, the share of the world passenger car market held by Europe's largest automaker therefore rose to 11.4 (10.3) percent.

"The Volkswagen Group vigorously continued its product initiative last year. With innovative and environmentally-friendly autos, Volkswagen outstripped prior-year delivery figures under difficult conditions. We have significantly strengthened our competitive position with a new delivery record," Christian Klingler, Executive Vice President, Group Sales and Marketing, commented Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

According to Klingler, 2010 will be another challenging year. "There are no signs of a sustained recovery on the global automotive market. Emerging markets such as China and Brazil will, however, show an upward trend. Given our strong presence on these markets we intend to participate in the anticipated slight revival of the world market."

Developments on largest individual markets of China, Germany and Brazil clearly positive

The Volkswagen Group reported a pleasing sales situation on all three of its largest individual markets throughout 2009. In China, deliveries rose by 36.7 percent to 1.40 (1.03) million units. On the German market, the Group brands delivered a total of 1.24 (1.06; +17.5 percent) million vehicles. In Brazil, the Group reported a 8.7 percent increase in deliveries to 688,300 (633,300) units.

Demand for models such as the Volkswagen Fox, Polo, Golf, Scirocco, Tiguan and Passat CC, the Audi A3 and Q5, the SEAT Ibiza and Exeo and the Škoda Fabia and Superb was particularly encouraging.

In the Asia/Pacific region, Volkswagen deliveries also rose significantly to 1.55 (1.17; +32.1 percent) million vehicles. In South America, a total of 815,100 (797,700) vehicles were delivered to customers, representing an increase of 2.2 percent.

In Europe, where the market contracted by more than 11 percent, 3.28 (3.53; -7.1 percent) million vehicles were sold. In North America, deliveries ran at 467,500 (502,900; -7.1 percent) units, while the overall market shrank by over 20 percent.

Significant rise in Volkswagen brand deliveries - Škoda and Audi perform better than the market

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand also reported a new record for last year, growing deliveries by 7.8 percent to 3.95 (3.67) million units. In China, the largest individual market, deliveries increased by 32.4 percent to 1.12 (0.84) million units. The New Bora, Jetta, Passat Magotan and Lavida enjoyed the greatest success. Developments in Brazil were also extremely successful, with deliveries growing by 18.4 percent to 623,000 (526,300) vehicles. Here, the positive trend for the new Gol, the best-selling vehicle in Brazil, was especially noticeable. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 354,800 (447,200; -20.7 percent) vehicles to customers, and thus felt the full impact of the economic crisis on the capital goods industry in 2009.

Škoda and Audi also performed better than the overall market in 2009. The Czech brand Škoda delivered 684,200 (674,500; +1.4 percent) cars last year. The brand grew in China and Germany in particular, as well as increasing deliveries in Poland and France.

Audi developed better than initially expected for last year, delivering 949,700 (1.003 million; -5.4 percent) vehicles. This was due to high growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region as well as good developments on markets such as Canada or Brazil. Audi also reaffirmed its position as Europe's leading premium brand. In the USA, Audi developed significantly better than the premium market, thus growing its market share in this segment to 8.3 (7.1) percent.

SEAT delivered 336,600 (368,100; -8.6 percent) vehicles to customers last year. The effects of the situation on the Spanish home market, which took a tumble of almost 18 percent in 2009, were especially noticeable. In contrast, SEAT reported higher unit sales on key markets such as Germany, France and Mexico.

* based on provisional figures for overall markets
** excluding Scania, including Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Trucks and Buses for January/February 2009 Figures in brackets refer to the prior-year period.