VOLKSWAGEN GROUP see's sales dip in the first four months of the year.

• 3.3 million vehicles handed over in the first four months of 2017
• Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales: “At the beginning of the second quarter, we were able to increase our deliveries in China”

Since the beginning of the year, the Volkswagen Group has handed over 3.3 million new vehicles to customers. In April, the Group delivered 841,200 vehicles (-1.4 percent). “At the beginning of the second quarter, we wereable to increase our deliveries in China again. 

In April, the development in Volkswagen Group deliveries in Western Europewas better than the market as a whole, which was affected by the late date of the Easter holidays. 

At the same time, we experienced strong tailwind in Central and Eastern Europe, where there was a marked increase in deliveries of newvehicles,” said Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, summarizing the figures for April.

In Europe, the Group handed 1.5 million vehicles over to its customers in the year to April (+2.8 percent) including 368,600 in April (-1.6 percent). 305,000 vehicles (-3.9 percent) were handed over to customers in Western Europe in April; Group deliveries therefore developed better than the market as a whole. 

113,200 vehicles (-7.2 percent) were handed over to customers in Germany. In Central and Eastern Europe, strong growth has been observed since the beginning of the year. Compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, Group deliveries grew by 12.0 percent to 233,200 vehicles. 

In April, the Group boosted deliveries in the region by 11.1 percent to 63,600 vehicles.

In the North American market, the Volkswagen Group delivered 293,200 vehicles from January to the end of April (+3.3 percent). 79,500 vehicles were handed over to customers in April, a fall of 3.4 percent. 

In April, 52,000 customers in the USA took delivery of a new vehicle from the Group, representing a rise of 3.0 percent. In South America, a slight rise of 1.5 percent was recorded in April compared with the previous year; 39,400 vehicles were handed over to customers in the region.

Deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region in April reached 320,800 vehicles (-0.2 percent). In total, 1.3 million vehicles (-5.3 percent) were handed over to customers in the region in the first four months of the year. 

On the Chinese market, Group deliveries reached 299,700 vehicles in April (+1.5 percent), rising again for the first time since the beginning of the year.

Overview of deliveries by the Volkswagen Group:

Deliveries to customersby markets	April 2017	April 2016	Change (%)	Jan.-Apr. 2017	Jan.-Apr. 2016	Change (%)
Europe	368,600	374,600	-1.6	1,466,500	1,426,800	+2.8
Western Europe	305,000	317,400	-3.9	1,233,400	1,218,500	+1.2
Germany	113,200	121,900	-7.2	433,400	441,300	-1.8
Central and Eastern Europe	63,600	57,200	+11.1	233,200	208,300	+12.0
Russia	16,000	14,200	+12.3	53,700	50,600	+6.2
North America	79,500	82,300	-3.4	293,200	283,800	+3.3
USA	52,000	50,500	+3.0	187,500	174,500	+7.4
South America	39,400	38,800	+1.5	161,200	149,200	+8.1
Brazil	22,600	24,300	-7.1	90,900	95,500	-4.8
Asia-Pacific	320,800	321,400	-0.2	1,294,500	1,366,900	-5.3
China	299,700	295,300	+1.5	1,191,200	1,250,800	-4.8
Worldwide	841,200	853,300	-1.4	3,336,200	3,361,400	-0.7

Deliveries to customers by brands	April 2017	April 2016	Change (%)	Jan.-Apr. 2017	Jan.-Apr. 2016	Change (%)
Volkswagen Passenger Cars	468,000	476,700	-1.8	1,908,900	1,936,200	-1.4
Audi	156,100	164,300	-5.0	578,700	620,200	-6.7
ŠKODA	97,300	97,200	0.0	380,800	373,900	+1.8
SEAT	41,400	35,700	+16.0	158,700	138,600	+14.5
Porsche	22,100	21,600	+2.5	81,800	77,500	+5.5
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles	39,900	41,400	-3.8	161,700	154,300	+4.8
MAN	8,200	8,300	-1.7	33,400	31,800	+5.1
Scania	7,000	7,000	+0.3	27,700	25,400	+8.8
Volkswagen Group (total)	841,200	853,300	-1.4	3,336,200	3,361,400	-0.7

END OF YEAR 2016 - LEXUS - The luxury arm of Toyota see's a 4% sales spurt in the year.

Sales

Lexus International today announced it sold 677,615 vehicles during the 2016 calendar year. This robust sales performance represents a 4% increase over calendar year 2015 (652,451 units). The 2016 CY sales performance is also the 4^th consecutive record year of sales for the globally emerging Lexus brand.

"We are pleased with our global sales in a very challenging luxury market where customers have more choices than ever. Such sales help validate the customer focus of our brand, the products, and the design direction of Lexus globally. 

As we continue to expand, our hope is to maintain this steady and sustainable growth, balancing the growth and sales between our established markets and emerging regions." said Lexus International President Tokuo Fukuichi.

Established Lexus operations in Japan, Europe, China, East Asia and Oceania all posted new annual sales records. 

Within Europe, the best ever sales performance (74,316 units) for the region was propelled by growth in 10 countries that enjoyed their strongest sales efforts to date. Japan's 5^th consecutive year of best-ever sales (52,149) units also helped propel the Lexus brand into the number two position in the luxury market. 

Lexus sales in China eclipsed the 100k threshold for the first time in the brand's history in that market with 109,151 total sales.

Calendar year 2017 will see the Lexus brand bring the flagship LC coupe to market in addition to a reborn LS sedan. 

These two premium models signal the brand direction for Lexus with their passionate styling, performance and visionary technologies. In addition, the UX Concept revealed at the Paris Auto Show in September of 2016 embodies some the latest Lexus thinking in a small-crossover vehicle category.

Lexus International Executive Vice President Yoshihiro Sawa added, "2017 will see us push develop our Lexus brand as the all-new LC coupe and LS sedans arrive to market. The styling language, performance, identity and emotion communicated by these two important models will help better communicate our evolving luxury life style brand image to global consumers."

Brand Initiatives

Lexus will continue its decade-plus long partnership with the world's largest design event, the Salone del Mobile di Milano (Milan Design Week). The Lexus Design Award is an annual collaboration with world-renowned designers that encourages up and coming designers to create unique installations that express true luxury in unique interpretations of design.

In summer of 2017, Lexus will have a role in the Luc Besson directed science fiction epic Valerian: City of a Thousand Planets. 

The film's hero, Valerian played by Dane Dehaan, pilots a Lexus Skyjet which is a visionary interpretation of future transportation and was the result of collaboration between Lexus Design and the film's creatives.

The Intersect By Lexus luxury culture and cuisine brand experience space and design gallery in Tokyo celebrated its third anniversary last summer. 

A second Intersect By Lexus gallery is now open in Dubai UAE for guests to enjoy Lexus experiences outside of their cars, and a third Intersect By Lexus gallery is scheduled to open in New York.

Lexus entered international motorsports in 2016, with active programs racing the RC F coupe in Japan's Super GT GT500 series and in the German VLN endurance racing series at the famous Nürburgring circuit. In North America, Lexus USA will be debuting two RC F GT3 coupes at the Rolex 24-hours of Daytona endurance race. These vehicles will compete as the 3GT team on the IMSA GTD series of pro sportscar racing.

Product News

The year 2017 will see the LC500/LC500h arrive in showrooms offering a new coupe flagship to customers who want superior dynamics and breakthrough styling in one seductive vehicle. 

Lexus' Multi-stage Hybrid technology also first appears in the LC coupe. This innovative system uses mechanical multi-speed transmission and software to help maximize the driving experience of the highly reliable power split device used to balance engine and electric motor output on hybrids. 

For the driver, the 10 discrete speeds the new hybrid system creates helps deliver the sensation, acceleration and reflexes akin to the mechanical 10-speed automatic equipped on the gasoline version.

In 2017, at the North American Auto Show, the all-new LS 500 debuted the brand's 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo. Boasting 415 horsepower, this new engine breaks ground in terms of efficiency and per-liter output in the class. The all-new LS goes on sale during the 2017.

Lexus revealed the pre-production version of the coming LS 500 flagship sedan to great acclaim: at the North American International Auto show the LS earned an "Eyes on Design" interior awards for Best Interior Design. This award comes on the heels of the two awards won by the LC coupe the prior year which shares architecture and design language with the all-new LS.

USA SALES JANUARY - JLR - Jaguar posts Massive growth, LR posts record sales.

• Best Ever Jaguar Land Rover U.S. January Sales Month, up 30 percent
• Jaguar XE sports sedan and F-PACE SUV drive Jaguar U.S. sales up 117 percent for best January sales month since 2004
• Best Ever Land Rover U.S. January Sales Month, up 9 percent
• Best Ever Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Discovery Sport January Sales Month

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC today reported January 2017 U.S. sales: Jaguar sales were 2,939 units, a 117 percent increase from 1,352 units in January 2016; Land Rover sales reached 6,163 units, up 9 percent from record sales of 5,655 units in January 2016; Jaguar Land Rover January U.S. sales for both brands hit 9,102 units, a 30 percent increase from 7,007 units in January 2016; making it the best ever Jaguar Land Rover January sales month.

“After coming off a record-setting year in 2016, we are starting 2017 with a successful January sales month for Jaguar Land Rover and are proud to report a 30 percent sales increase," said Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. “This strong performance is a testament to our expanded product offering, highly desirable brands and dedicated retailer network. We are in prime position for sales growth in the coming year.”

For the full year 2016, Jaguar Land Rover U.S. sales were up 24 percent to 105,104 units sold, compared to 85,048 units sold in 2015. With this performance, 2016 becomes the new U.S. high water mark for Jaguar and Land Rover brands’ combined sales, surpassing previous high of 102,191 sales achieved in 2002.

U.S. BRAND HIGHLIGHTS

Land Rover

For the month of January, Land Rover sales hit 6,163 units sold, the best ever January retail month for the brand (January of 2016 was the all-time January high for the brand in the U.S.). For the month of January, the Range Rover Sport was the volume leader hitting 1,918 units sold.

Range Rover hit 1,833 units sold and sales of the Discovery Sport hit 1,369 units. The Discovery family will be expanded in 2017 with the introduction of the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery which goes on sale this summer and priced from $49,990. (1)

The 2017 Land Rover model line-up features five models: The all-new Discovery, which replaces the LR4, features a radical new design language for the full-size, optional seven passenger SUV and all-new levels of refinement, passenger technology and driver assistance options.

The Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque continue steadfast, both powered by 240-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engines. The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport model lines expand for 2017 each with a new model. 

Replacing the limited edition HST model in the Range Rover Sport line-up, the Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic features a 380-hp supercharged V6 engine, dynamic body trim appointments and black trim finishes. Within the full-size Range Rover line-up, Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations has introduced the SVAutobiography Dynamic. 

Based off of the long wheelbase SVAutobiography, the SVAutobiography Dynamic offers a driver focused experience through a standard wheelbase, suspension and chassis tuning and a lowered ride height. 

Both Range Rover model lines feature five powertrain options – a 340-hp supercharged V6, a 380-hp supercharged V6, a 510-hp supercharged V8, a 550-hp supercharged V8 and a new 254-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel.

Jaguar

For the month of January, Jaguar sales were 2,939 units, a 117 percent increase from 1,352 units in January 2016; making it the best Jaguar January sales month since 2004.

The Jaguar F-PACE hit 1,458 units sold, making it the brand’s volume leader for the month, and the XE hit 693 units sold.

Jaguar launched two new entry luxury vehicles in 2016: the 2017 XE compact luxury sedan, starting at $34,900(1), and the 2017 F-PACE compact luxury SUV, starting at $40,990.(1) Competitively priced within their respective segments, these two new models appeal to an all-new segment of buyers for the brand. 

The XE is available with two gasoline engines, a 240-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and a 340-hp supercharged V6. The F-PACE is available with the same 340-hp supercharged V6, as well as a 380-hp supercharged V6 in the ‘S’ model. 

Both vehicles are available with a 180-hp turbocharged diesel engine, which returns 42mpg highway(2) on Jaguar XE models and 33mpg highway(2) on F-PACE models.

The Jaguar XF is now offered with three available powertrains, two supercharged V6 powertrains producing 340- and 380-hp and a 180-hp turbocharged four-cylinder diesel offering an EPA certified 42mpg highway.(2) The 2017 Jaguar XJ retains its position within the Jaguar line-up as the pinnacle in luxury for the brand. 

It continues to be available with three powertrain options – a 340-hp supercharged V6, a 470-hp supercharged V8 and a 550-hp supercharged V8 – is offered in both standard and long wheelbase lengths in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. 

For 2017, the Jaguar F-TYPE offers buyers with an all-new derivative in the F-TYPE SVR. Powered by the brand’s proven supercharged V8 engine, the F-TYPE SVR has been further enhanced to offer 575-hp and 516-lb. ft. of torque enabling a top speed of 200mph (4,5) and a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds.(4)

All new Jaguar models come standard with Jaguar EliteCare, an ownership package with class-leading five-years or 60,000-mile warranty, complimentary scheduled maintenance coverage, roadside assistance and Jaguar InControl®Protect & Remote™.(3)

(1) All prices shown are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $995 destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability January vary. See your local authorized Jaguar or Land Rover Retailer for details.

(2) EPA estimates the diesel powertrain on the F-PACE will offer 26mpg city/ 33mpg highway. EPA estimates the diesel powertrain on the XE will offer 32mpg city/ 42mpg highway. EPA estimates 31mpg city/ 42mpg highway for the diesel XF.  Actual mileage may vary.

(3) Class is cars sold by luxury automobile brands and claim is based on total package of warranty, maintenance and other coverage programs. For complete details regarding Jaguar EliteCare coverage, please visit JAGUARUSA.COM, call 1.800.4.JAGUAR or visit your local Jaguar Retailer.   

(4) Always follow local speed limits.

(5) F-TYPE SVR Coupe top speed is 200mph. F-TYPE SVR Convertible top speed is 195mph.

Volkswagen celebrates it's commercial vehicle devision topping 50,000 registrations in the year.

• Record UK registrations for the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand
• Over 50,000* vehicles registered by the brand for the first time
• Market share up to over 12 per cent; brand retains number two position
• Substantial increase in Transporter and Caddy volumes

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles produced a fifth consecutive new UK sales record in 2016, registering over 45,000 new vans. 

The latest generation Transporter and Caddy model ranges saw significant sales increases, while the brand’s passenger carriers and campervan registrations took Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ total 2016 registrations to 50,068*, up nearly five per cent on 2015 (47,739). 

This result means the brand has more than doubled its volume since 2009.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also not only maintained but strengthened its number two position in the light commercial vehicles sector, recording a market share of 12.1 per cent.

The multi-award winning Transporter accounted for 22,872 registrations, up over 11 per cent on 2015 (50,533). 8,156 Caddys were registered, down 757 compared to 2016, though Caddy Maxi sales were up over 35 per cent to 6,377, giving total Caddy registrations of 14,533.

Both the Amarok and Crafter models saw small declines in sales as the brand prepares to relaunch the refreshed pick-up and all-new Crafter this year. (3,586 Amarok down from 3,908 in 2015; 7,137 Crafter down from 8,009 in 2015.)

Commenting on the brand’s performance, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Carl zu Dohna, said: ‘2016 was a really successful year for the brand, with the Transporter and Caddy consolidating their positions in the market after being launched in September 2015. I’m really proud of my team and the Van Centre network for achieving this result.’

He added: ‘I’m delighted that customers are getting to know our latest products and appreciating not only their inherent strengths, but also the after sales support and complete mobility packages which we have put around them. The support we give to our customers to help them choose the right vans and minimise in-life downtime, as well as adding value to our range of products remains extremely important to us.’

*SMMT data. Includes passenger carrying models registered as ‘cars’:

• Passenger carriers include: Caravelle, Transporter Shuttle, Caddy Life, Caddy Maxi Life and Caddy Maxi Camper.
• Transporter registrations include California.
• Registrations include LCV/HCV market up to 6.0T.