Volkswagen Group Increases Global Market Share in First Quarter

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - April 17, 2009 – The Volkswagen Group increased its global market share in the first quarter of this year in spite of the continuing difficult situation on automobile markets; from January to March, the share rose to 11.0 (9.7) percent. The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand also to some extent bucked the negative economic trend, growing its world market share to 7.4 (6.3) percent. The Audi and Škoda brands each reported a 0.1 percent increase in market share, while SEAT’s share remained stable.

“Our young and efficient model range with some 180 different vehicles is paying off. Our portfolio contains exactly the cars which are in demand with customers,” Detlef Wittig, Executive Vice President, Group Sales and Marketing, commented in Wolfsburg on Friday. In an overall market which has shrunk by more than 20 percent, the Group delivered 1.39 million vehicles (1st quarter 2008: 1.57 million; -11.4 percent)* to customers all over the world. During this period, the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand sold 876,000 units (920,200; -4.8 percent)*.

Market position in Europe strengthened – Clear increase in deliveries in Russia
Europe’s largest automaker outperformed competitors in the key sales regions. In Western Europe, the Group grew market share from 18.6 to 20.6 percent. There were increases in almost all individual markets. The share in Central and Eastern Europe grew to 12.9 (10.4) percent. Developments in Russia were particularly gratifying; in a market that is down 39 percent, the Group grew deliveries significantly to some 25,800 units (22,600; +14.1 percent) and now ranks fourth on the Russian market. The Volkswagen brand increased deliveries, sometimes quite substantially, in almost all model ranges.

Above-average development in Brazil
In South America, the market share rose to 21.5 (18.9) percent. In Brazil, the region’s largest market, 6.4 percent growth in deliveries to 157,300 (147,800) units was higher than overall market growth of 3.3 percent. Here, good developments in the sale of the new “Gol”, the bestselling vehicle in Brazil, were a positive factor. In North America, too, the Group expanded its market share to 3.7 (2.7) percent. In the USA, the Group delivered 58,300 vehicles (2008: 72.200; -19.3 percent), a significantly better performance than the competition (overall market: -38.4 percent).

Growth in Asia/Pacific Region defies market trend
While there was a noticeable 8.7 percent drop in the market in the Asia/Pacific Region, the Volkswagen Group reported a rise in deliveries to 318,200 vehicles (309,200; +2.9 percent). In China, deliveries rose to 284,200 units (268,200; +6.0 percent).

Scrapping premium in Germany boosts orders
In Germany, Group brands delivered 251,500 vehicles (2008: 240,700; +4.5 percent) during the first quarter, the core brand Volkswagen sold 131,000 cars (2008: 121,300; +8.0 percent) on its home market. There was high demand for the VW Fox, Polo and Tiguan as well as the Škoda Fabia, SEAT Ibiza and the Caddy from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The scrapping premium is currently boosting business, with more than 160,000 vehicles ordered under the program by the end of March. “This demonstrates that the government’s measures are having an effect. At the moment, this is the best program for safeguarding jobs, protecting the environment and for customers,” Wittig said.

Sales targets confirmed despite uncertain outlook
Following on from the sharp downturn in macroeconomic trends of recent months, developments during the rest of the year remain very uncertain. Volkswagen is nevertheless reaffirming its targets. “During this year we will be debuting around 60 new models, product enhancements and successors with highly-efficient, low-consumption engines. With this model roll-out, we are very confident that we can, as planned, perform significantly better than the competition in 2009,” Wittig commented.

*excluding Scania, including VW Trucks and Buses for January/February 2009