Volkswagen Group reports 6.7 per cent growth in worldwide deliveries in July

The Volkswagen Group again reported an increase in worldwide deliveries in July, the third successive month of growth.

Despite the continuing difficult situation on global automotive markets, Europe's largest automaker recorded 6.7 per cent growth, with deliveries totalling 556,900 (July 2008: 521,100) units*.

This means that 3.65 (January - July 2008: 3.79; -3.5 per cent)** million vehicles were delivered to customers during the first seven months of this year.

"We are making good progress and winning market share worldwide. Our current delivery figures are above plan. That proves we are present on the right markets with the right products at the right time," Detlef Wittig, Executive Vice President, Group Sales and Marketing, commented in Wolfsburg on Monday.

[B]Clearly positive trend on core markets of Germany and China[/B]

The Volkswagen Group again produced a good performance on its key sales markets. Deliveries on the home market rose by 26.9 per cent to 113,700 (89,600) units. The scrapping premium continued to have a positive effect.

"We won as many as 250,000 new customers for the Group with the help of the scrapping premium in Germany," Wittig commented. Developments on the Chinese market were exceptionally positive on the back of state incentive programs. The Group delivered 127,900 (76,000) vehicles in China, 68.4 per cent up on the same month in 2008, and also representing the highest deliveries ever in a single month.

Volkswagen could not, however, entirely escape the effects of the tense situation on many automotive markets. A total of 286,900 (295,800; -3.0 per cent) vehicles were delivered to customers in Europe. The negative situation on the market in Spain and in several countries of Central and Eastern Europe in particular had an impact.

The developments in the Asia/Pacific region were very positive - mainly as a result of success in China. With market growth running at 14 per cent, the Volkswagen Group delivered 139,300 (88,200) units, representing a rise of 58.0 per cent.

[B]Audi and SEAT also report increases[/B]

Audi reported worldwide deliveries of 85,000 (83,200) vehicles in July, representing a 2.1 per cent rise. As the market's leading premium brand, Audi benefited from positive developments in China, delivering a record 13,400 (9,400; +42.5 per cent) vehicles there.

The Czech brand Škoda reported deliveries of 55,800 (58,100; -4.0 per cent). The brand made strong progress in Germany, Poland and China in particular.

SEAT benefited from the scrapping premium on the German market with a 71.7 per cent rise in deliveries to 5,600 (3,300) units. 10,300 vehicles (9,300) were delivered on the home market of Spain, roughly 11 per cent higher than the previous year, and the brand regained its position as market leader. In total, SEAT produced a positive result in July, delivering 33,300 (32,200; +3.6 per cent) vehicles.

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

Credits: JRC