Volkswagen weathers diesel-gate storm

Volkswagen Group deliveries for the first half of 2016 ran at 5.12 million units, representing an increase of 1.5 per cent over the corresponding prior-year period.

Sales in June grew by 5.1 per cent compared with the prior year, handing over 883,400 vehicles to customers.

While the regions of Europe and Asia-Pacific continued to show solid growth, deliveries in the North America region were slightly down on the prior-year level. The South America region recorded a further decrease.

“Solid growth overall during the first half year is partly attributable to the strong performance in June. The main impetus came from the regions of Europe and Asia-Pacific. The pleasing result reflects our customers’ trust in our products even in these challenging times,” said Fred Kappler, head of group sales. 

In Europe, the Volkswagen Group handed over 2.20 million new vehicles to customers in the first six months, representing an increase of 3.8 per cent over the corresponding prior-year period.

The company noted there were positive developments in both Western Europe (+3.3 percent) and Central and Eastern Europe (+6.7 per cent). Momentum in Western Europe was particularly strong in Italy and Spain, with Poland and the Czech Republic providing the main impetus in Central and Eastern Europe. Deliveries in Russia stabilized in the second quarter. 14,500 vehicles were handed over to customers there in June – a rise of 0.9 per cent.

In North America, deliveries in the first half of the year were slightly down on the prior-year level, running at 444,100 units (-1.6 per cent), of which 76,900 vehicles were handed over to customers in the month of June (-4.3 per cent).

In South America, 223,800 vehicles were delivered to customers in the first six months (-24.7 per cent). Deliveries in the region continued to decline as a result of the continued tense economic situation, particularly in Brazil.

In the Asia-Pacific region, VW recorded “solid growth” in the first two quarters. 333,300 vehicles were handed over to customers in this region in the month of June, representing an increase of 15.0 per cent compared with the prior year.

The main impetus came from China (+18.7 per cent). 2.04 million vehicles were delivered in the Asia-Pacific region in the year to June – an increase of 5.1 per cent.

Overview of deliveries by the Volkswagen Group: 

Deliveries to customers by markets	June 2016	June 2015	Change (%)	Jan.-June 2016	Jan.-June 2015	Change (%)
Europe	399,200	382,300	+4.4	2,195,700	2,114,800	+3.8
Western Europe	340,000	329,100	+3.3	1,871,400	1,810,900	+3.3
Germany	127,400	122,600	+3.9	685,100	668,300	+2.5
Central and Eastern Europe	59,100	53,300	+11.0	324,300	303,900	+6.7
Russia	14,500	14,400	+0.9	78,600	84,300	-6.8
North America	76,900	80,300	-4.3	444,100	451,200	-1.6
USA	47,000	53,200	-11.7	273,800	295,000	-7.2
South America	36,000	48,900	-26.4	223,800	297,300	-24.7
Brazil	22,900	33,900	-32.7	141,800	211,800	-33.1
Asia-Pacific	333,300	289,900	+15.0	2,041,700	1,943,500	+5.1
China	299,800	252,600	+18.7	1,862,100	1,743,000	+6.8
Worldwide	883,400	840,400	+5.1	5,116,800	5,039,300	+1.5

  

Deliveries to customers by brand	June 2016	June 2015	Change (%)	Jan.-June 2016	Jan.-June 2015	Change (%)
Volkswagen Passenger Cars	492,800	470,700	+4.7	2,925,000	2,945,700	-0.7
Audi	169,000	157,400	+7.4	953,200	902,300	+5.6
ŠKODA	98,800	94,600	+4.4	569,400	544,300	+4.6
SEAT	40,100	40,000	+0.2	216,800	216,500	+0.2
Porsche	20,300	20,800	-2.7	118,000	114,000	+3.5
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles	43,700	38,600	+13.3	238,800	223,200	+7.0
MAN	9,100	10,200	-11.0	49,300	49,900	-1,1
Scania	8,100	6,800	+19.4	40,300	37,000	+9.0
Volkswagen Group (total)	883,400	840,400	+5.1	5,116,800	5,039,300	+1.5