Volkswagen Group sells over four million vehicles in January – July period for first time

• Unit sales grow 13.7 percent in period to July
• Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Audi outperform overall market
• Group Board Member for Sales Klingler: "Good start to second half-year - however, operating environment becoming difficult"

For the first time, the Volkswagen Group sold more than 4 million vehicles in the period from January to July. 4.16 (January - July 2009: 3.65; +13.7 percent)* million vehicles were delivered to customers during the first seven months of the current year. As a result, Europe's largest automaker continues to outperform the overall market (+13.4 percent). This also applies for the majority of the Group's volume brands. In July, the Volkswagen Group delivered 572,200 (556,200; +2.9 percent)** vehicles worldwide.For the first time, the Volkswagen Group sold more than 4 million vehicles in the period from January to July. 4.16 (January - July 2009: 3.65; +13.7 percent)* million vehicles were delivered to customers during the first seven months of the current year. As a result, Europe's largest automaker continues to outperform the overall market (+13.4 percent). This also applies for the majority of the Group's volume brands. In July, the Volkswagen Group delivered 572,200 (556,200; +2.9 percent)** vehicles worldwide.

"After a very successful first six months we got off to a good start in the second half of the year. Over the coming months we will continue on our growth path with our model range and will perform better than the competition. However, this will be a challenge, given an operating environment that is again becoming difficult. Now that incentive programs have come to an end, the global automotive market is expected to decline in the second half of the year. There will not be a return to the high pre-crisis levels this year," Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler said on Friday.

Higher than average development on almost all major markets

The Volkswagen Group again reported delivery figures that outperformed the market, in some cases quite significantly, on almost all major markets. In China deliveries in the first seven months grew 42.2 percent to 1.11 (0.78) million. For the entire Asia/Pacific region Volkswagen reported a growth rate of 42.3 percent with deliveries totaling 1.23 (0.86) million vehicles. The highest percentage increase was 121 percent, and was once again recorded on the Indian market with 21,300 (9,700) units handed over.

In Europe the Group delivered a total of 2.0 (1.95) million vehicles to customers, corresponding to a rise of 2.2 percent, while the overall market contracted by 1.8 percent. In Western Europe (excluding Germany) Volkswagen reported growth of 18.4 percent (overall market +9.6 percent) to 1.15 (0.97) million vehicles. Developments on the German market remain very subdued. The continuing weak market, strongly influenced by the effects of the scrapping premium last year, contracted by 29 percent between January and July. The Volkswagen Group performed better, delivering 606,200 (745,600; -18.7 percent) vehicles.

In South America deliveries for the period January to July grew to 483,300 (472,200; +2.3 percent) vehicles. In North America, 309,200 (263,000; +17.6 percent) vehicles were delivered to customers, with the USA accounting for 207,100 (162,900; +27.1 percent).

Volume brands report strong growth

Both the Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands again performed very well: The core brand delivered 2.62 (2.30) million passenger cars during the period January to July, an increase of 14.0 percent. Apart from the Golf family and the Tiguan, demand in China for the very successful Lavida, Passat Lingyu, Jetta and New Bora models was particularly high. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles reported a rise of 12.9 percent during the first seven months to 236,600 (209,500) units.

Deliveries at Audi ran at 646,300 (550,700) vehicles, 17.4 percent up on the prior-year period. China (+62.5 percent) and the USA (+27.1 percent) reached new delivery records.

Škoda delivered 437,300 (385,500; +13.4 percent) vehicles. The brand enjoyed particularly strong growth in China, the UK, Spain and India as well as on its home market of the Czech Republic.

SEAT delivered 211,500 (206,700; +2.3 percent) vehicles. The situation on the home market of Spain was very gratifying with 65,200 (50,000) vehicles delivered, representing a 30.5 percent rise on the prior-year period.

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