Volkswagen reports 5 percent first-quarter increase in worldwide sales

(April 13, 2013) The Volkswagen Group delivered 2.27 million vehicles from January to March, a 5 percent increase over 2012. The company handed over 864,400 vehicles in March, a 0.2 percent increase.

“The Volkswagen Group showed stable development at a high level in the first quarter and performed slightly better than the overall passenger car market. Positive momentum was maintained in North America and China. Almost all other regions, however, particularly the markets in Western Europe, remain affected by uncertainty which is in some cases considerable. The data for March clearly show that the markets are becoming even more difficult,” said Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler.

Group brands delivered 881,600 vehicles — a 5.9 percent decrease — on the overall European market in the first quarter as demand for vehicles took a general downturn.

Developments on the American continent were mixed. Deliveries in the North America region from January to March grew 14.9 percent to 205,700, of which 142,800 vehicles were delivered in the United States, a 14 percent hike. In the South America region, on the other hand, there was a 4.5 percent decline to 219,200 units, of which 160,600 vehicles were handed over in Brazil.

Group figures for the Asia-Pacific region remained encouraging. 860,700 vehicles were handed over to customers there in the first quarter, an 18 percent increase.