9.4.2019. The Volkswagen brand delivered worldwide in March 542.700 vehicles and was 7.2 percent below the record level of the previous month.
The positive development in the USA (+14.0 percent) could not offset declines in Asia (-10.0 percent), Europe (-3.5 percent) and South America (-12.7%). Volkswagen has handed over in the first quarter, a total of 1.456.400 vehicles to customers, corresponding to a decline of 4.5 percent compared to the same period last year. In a declining global market, the brand has expanded its market share by the end of March easily.
Volkswagen sales Executive Jürgen Stackmann: “The persistent buying restraint in China has made in the first quarter, as expected, in our delivery figures noticeable. Nevertheless, we build our market share there significantly. Our world is more order, at a high level and we are working intensively on the expansion of capacity in the case of Otto engines, in order to bring the cars ordered in a timely manner to our customers. In the next few weeks, the new T-Cross rolls out to our dealers in Europe that will give us back the wind“.
The deliveries in the regions and markets in March:
In Europe, the Volkswagen brand delivered 183.200 vehicles, 3.5 per cent less than in the same month last year. One reason for this development is the capacity restrictions for Otto-engines, which are currently in high demand. In Western Europe, there was also a slight decline of 2.4 percent to 160.600 vehicles. Volkswagen, however, could expand the market shares in the important markets of France, Italy and the UK.
In the home market of Germany, deliveries declined compared with the same month last year slightly by 3.2 percent to 52.700 vehicles. Especially popular with the customers of the brand’s SUVs, which rose in total by more than 50 percent compared to the same month last year. The SUV share increased from 18.1 per cent in March 2018, up from 28.4 percent in the reporting month.
In the Region of Central and Eastern Europe, the delivery numbers year-on-year by 10.8 per cent, according to 22.600 vehicles. Russia, the largest market in the Region, with 8,500 deliveries slightly below the previous year level (-1.2 percent).
A Positive impulse came in the reporting month from the Region of North America. There, Volkswagen delivered 53.700 vehicles, which represents an increase of 6.4 percent compared to the same month last year. Particularly significant is the growth in the US were, where the fire of 14.0 percent to 37.100 vehicles increased. Volkswagen achieved in the second-largest automotive market in the world, its best March since 2013. More than half of the deliveries what is accounted for by the popular SUVs Tiguan and Atlas. In Mexico, the Situation remains difficult, the deliveries decreased by 12.7 percent compared to the same month last year.
The South America Region reported a significant decline in deliveries by 12.7 percent compared to the same month last year to 35.800 vehicles. In Brazil, the largest market in the Region, deliveries declined slightly to 27.200 vehicles (-1.9%). In Argentina, the total market declined due to the difficult economic situation. This negative Trend what so affected, Volkswagen, and delivered 5,000 vehicles, less than a year ago (-49,2%).
In the Asia-Pacific Region Volkswagen delivered 258.100 vehicles, representing a decrease of 10.0 percent compared to the same month last year. This development is decisively influenced by the persistent buying restraint in China, which led again to a significant decline in the overall market. The April applicable sales tax cut, reinforced this trend in March and additionally led to the postponement of purchasing decisions. Volkswagen recorded with 242.900 vehicles, therefore, decline in the delivery figures (-9.9 per cent), was able to expand its market share. The successful SUV Offensive in the brand led to a significant increase in the SUV share of 13.2 percent a year ago to 20.5 percent in the reporting month.
Volkswagen ID. BUGGY (photo: Volkswagen AG)
