Wolfsburg – The Volkswagen Group grew vehicle deliveries in the first half of 2013, handing over a total of 4.70 (January – June 2012: 4.45; +5.5 percent)* million vehicles to customers worldwide from January to June. Deliveries in the month of June were slightly up at 827,800 (June 2012: 798,500; +3.7 percent)*. “Volkswagen Group deliveries made satisfactory progress even though market conditions were not always easy. However, the economic climate remains tense, especially in Europe”, Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg, and added: “We remain on course and are entering the second half of the year with confidence. Nevertheless, the enormous challenges persist.”
Group brands delivered a total of 1.87 (1.93; -3.5 percent) million vehicles on the overall European market in the first half year. In Western Europe (excluding Germany), 0.97 (1.01; -3.6 per cent) million customers took possession of a new vehicle. 583,900 (606,100; -3.7 per cent) units were delivered in the home market of Germany. The Group handed over 313,000 (322,900; -3.0 per cent) vehicles in Central and Eastern Europe in the period to June, of which 149,900 (152,600; -1.7 per cent) units were delivered in Russia.
Developments on the American continent were positive. In the North America region, deliveries for the period to June increased by 12.3 per cent to 437,900 (389,800) units, of which 303,900 (275,200; +10.4 percent) were handed over in the United States. The Volkswagen Group delivered 450,500 (469,500; -4.0 per cent) vehicles to customers in the South America region during the same period, of which 332,800 (347,100; -4.1 per cent) were handed over to customers in Brazil. Group figures for the Asia-Pacific region were encouraging. 1.73 (1.48; +16.8 per cent) million vehicles were handed over to customers there in the first six months, of which 1.54 (1.30; +18.7 percent) million were delivered in China, the region’s largest single market. In India, 49,200 (60,900; -19.2 per cent) customers took possession of a new vehicle from the Group.
Outline of developments at Group brands
The Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles brand delivered 2.91 (2.79; +4.4 percent) million vehicles to customers worldwide from January to June. The brand developed particularly well in China, where 1.17 (0.98; +19.4 per cent) million vehicles were handed over to customers, and in Mexico, where 68,800 (57,700; +19.3 per cent) customers took possession of a new Volkswagen.
Audi delivered 780,500 (733,200) vehicles worldwide in the first half year, an increase of 6.4 percent. The premium brand from Ingolstadt benefited in particular from significant growth in China, where 228,100 (193,900; +17.7 per cent) vehicles were handed over to customers. The brand also grew deliveries in the United States compared with the first six months of 2012, handing over 74,300 (65,200) automobiles, an increase of 14.0 per cent.
The sports car manufacturer Porsche, which became a Volkswagen Group brand on August 1, 2012, delivered a total of 81,600 vehicles in the period to June. At 24,300 units, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for the largest share, with a further 23,500 units handed over to customers in the North America region.
The ŠKODA brand delivered 464,600 (493,000; -5.8 per cent) vehicles worldwide from January to June. The company handed over 120,700 (131,800; -8.5 per cent) vehicles to customers in Central and Eastern Europe. 135,300 (144,900; -6.6 per cent) vehicles were delivered in the Asia-Pacific region during the same period.
SEAT delivered 182,100 (163,300; +11.5 per cent) vehicles worldwide in the period to June. The company handed over 150,500 (139,100; +8.2 per cent) vehicles to customers on the overall European market. Developments in the German market were particularly encouraging, with deliveries running at 38,200 (28,400) units, an increase of 34.4 per cent.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles enjoyed stable development in the first half year with deliveries running at 270,700 (270,100; +0.2 per cent) units. 81,300 (81,900; -0.8 per cent) vehicles were delivered to customers in Western Europe (excluding Germany) under difficult market conditions. In contrast, deliveries in the South America region developed well, with 76,300 (67,700; +12.7 per cent) customers taking delivery of a new vehicle.
*) including deliveries by the Porsche brand from August 1, 2012; excluding MAN and Scania
