Volkswagen Group sales nearly tip 5 million for first six months of the year.

• January to June figure totals 4.97 million / +5.9 per cent*
• Deliveries in June grow 3.9 per cent to 859,400 units*
• Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler: “The Group showed satisfactory development in the first six months. The challenges on the various world markets persist.”

The Volkswagen Group reported further growth in deliveries during the first half of 2014, handing over almost five million vehicles during this period. In total, 4.97 (January-June 2013: 4.69; +5.9 per cent)* million vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide from January to June this year. Developments during the month of June were also positive, with the company handing over 859,400 (June 2013: 827,500; +3.9 per cent)* units. “The Volkswagen Group showed satisfactory development in the first half year even though market conditions were at times difficult. However, the economic environment on some world markets remains tense,” Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg on Friday, and added: “Despite these challenges, the Volkswagen Group is entering the second half of the year with confidence. But we are also well aware of the tasks that lie ahead.”

Group brands delivered a total of 1.99 (1.87; +6.9 per cent) million vehicles on the overall European market in the first half year. 1.05 (0.97; +8.3 per cent) million customers took possession of a new vehicle in Western Europe (excluding Germany). 613,200 (583,900; +5.0 per cent) units were delivered in the home market of Germany. The Group handed over 331,300 (313,100; +5.8 per cent) vehicles to customers in Central and Eastern Europe, of which 137,200 (149,900; -8.5 per cent) units were delivered in Russia.

The Group delivered 424,900 (437,900; -3.0 per cent) vehicles in the North America region from January to June, of which 288,000 (303,900; -5.3 per cent) units were handed over to customers in the United States. In the South America region, the Volkswagen Group delivered 350,800 (450,500; -22.1 per cent) vehicles to customers during the same period, of which 271,700 (332,800; -18.3 per cent) units were handed over to customers in Brazil.

The Group continued to record very encouraging figures in the Asia-Pacific region, where 2.00 (1.73; +15.8 per cent) million vehicles were delivered to customers, of which 1.81 (1.54; +17.5 per cent) million units were handed over in China, the Group’s largest single market.

Outline of developments at Group brands

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 3.07 (2.95; +3.8 per cent) million vehicles to customers worldwide from January to June. The brand developed particularly well in China, handing over 1.39 (1.17; +18.5 per cent) million vehicles to customers there, and in Western Europe (excluding Germany), where 451,300 (427,800; +5.5 per cent) customers took possession of a new Volkswagen.

Audi delivered 869,400 (780,500) vehicles worldwide in the first half year, an increase of 11.4 per cent. The premium brand from Ingolstadt benefited among other things from substantial growth in China, where 268,700 (228,100; +17.8 per cent) vehicles were handed over to customers. The brand also grew deliveries in the United States compared with the same prior-year period, handing over 84,300 (74,300) automobiles, an increase of 13.6 per cent.

The sports car manufacturer Porsche delivered a total of 87,800 (81,600; +7.6 per cent) vehicles in the period to June. Demand for models from the Stuttgart-based carmaker was particularly high in the Asia-Pacific region, where 26,600 (24,300; +9.1 per cent) vehicles were delivered, and in the North America region, where 25,600 (23,500; +9.1 per cent) models were handed over to customers.

The ŠKODA brand delivered 522,500 (464,600; +12.5 per cent) vehicles worldwide from January to June. The company handed over 137,300 (120,700; +13.8 per cent) vehicles to customers in Central and Eastern Europe. 141,300 (118,000; +19.8 per cent) vehicles were delivered in Western Europe (excluding Germany) during the same period.

SEAT delivered 200,200 (182,200; +9.9 per cent) vehicles worldwide in the period to June. The company handed over 171,200 (150,500; +13.8 per cent) vehicles to customers in the overall European market. Developments in Central and Eastern Europe were particularly pleasing, with 12,900 (7,300) units handed over to customers there, an increase of 78.2 per cent.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 217,800 (226,600; -3.9 per cent) vehicles in the first half year. 87,800 (81,300; +8.1 per cent) units were handed over to customers in Western Europe (excluding Germany). Vehicle deliveries in the home market of Germany rose to 56,000 (54,000; +3.7 per cent).

*excluding MAN and Scania