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Volkswagen Group Starts Year With Strong Increase In Deliveries


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WOLFSBURG - February 11, 2011: The Volkswagen Group started 2011 with a strong increase in deliveries, handing over 644,200 (January 2010: 538,600) vehicles to customers in January. This represents an increase of 19.6 per cent, and means the Volkswagen Group developed noticeably better than the overall market, which grew 12.8 per cent. “We are very satisfied with the way the year has started. It shows the Volkswagen Group and its brands are in an excellent position to meet the complex demands of the global market,” Group Board member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg on Friday. “Despite the good figures, we continue to monitor developments on world markets closely.”

Positive developments on all established markets and in all growth regions
The dynamic sales situation on Asian markets continued for the Volkswagen Group in January. The Group brands delivered 239,500 (180,800; +32.5 per cent) vehicles to customers in the Asia / Pacific region, of which 217,900 (166,900; +30.6 per cent) units were handed over in China, the region’s largest single market. Volkswagen also reported strong growth in India, where deliveries ran at 7,400 (2,500) vehicles, nearly triple the number for the comparable period the year before.

The Group also grew deliveries in the South America region: In January, the company handed over 21.6 per cent (74,700; 61,400) more vehicles to customers. The situation in the North America region was also positive, with 41,900 (38,300; +9.4 per cent) vehicles delivered. On the US market, 26,300 (24,600; +6.8 per cent) models were handed over to customers.

The Volkswagen Group also reported growth in Europe. In Western Europe (excluding Germany), 156,800 (147,200; +6.5 per cent) new vehicles were delivered to customers. The Group brands recorded an increase of 30.0 per cent in Central and Eastern Europe, delivering 31,000 (23,800) vehicles in the region. In its home market of Germany, the Volkswagen Group achieved 4.3 per cent growth, delivering 74,800 (71,800) vehicles.

Group brands report increased deliveries
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 418,800 (359,400) vehicles worldwide in January, representing 16.5 per cent growth. The brand developed particularly well in China, its largest single market, where 175,000 (135,200; +29.4 per cent) vehicles were handed over. Volkswagen Passenger Cars grew deliveries in the Central and Eastern Europe region during the same period to 10,000 (7,600) units, an increase of 31.9 per cent.

Audi delivered 95,400 (77,800; +22.6 per cent) vehicles worldwide in January. The premium brand from Ingolstadt grew in all regions during the first month of the year. Contributory factors included continued strong growth in China, where the brand delivered 22,200 (16,800; +32.1 per cent) vehicles, and the USA, where 7,800 (6,500; +20.0 per cent) vehicles were handed over to customers.

The Czech automaker Škoda continued its growth path in January, delivering 68,400 (54,100; +26.4 per cent) units. China was once again the strongest market, with Škoda deliveries there growing 40.0 per cent (20,500; 14,700). The company also developed well in Europe, delivering 19,200 (15,700; +22.4 per cent) models in Western Europe (excluding Germany), and 15,300 (11,800; +29.4 per cent) models in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Spanish brand SEAT delivered 25,700 (24,300) vehicles worldwide in January, an increase of 5.7 per cent. SEAT reported a marked increase of 36.3 per cent in Germany, delivering 3,500 (2,600) vehicles to customers there. Developments in France were also pleasing, with SEAT delivering 3,200 (2,100; +51.7 per cent) models to customers.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles enjoyed strong growth of 57.9 per cent in January, delivering 35,700 (22,600) light commercial vehicles. 7,500 (5,500; +35.8 per cent) vehicles were handed over to customers in the company’s home market of Germany. Deliveries to the rest of Europe also developed very well. The number of vehicles delivered in Western Europe (excluding Germany) rose to 11,700 (7,500; +55.2 per cent), while the figure for Central and Eastern Europe grew to 1,900 (1,100; +69.5 per cent) units.