The Volkswagen Group started 2014 strongly with the delivery of 2.40* {January-March 2013: 2.27; +5.8 percent } million vehicles from January to March. In March 2014, the Group delivered 929 500 {March 2013: 864 100;+7.6 percent} units.
`All in all, we are very satisfied with the way vehicle sales developed in the first three months,` said Christian Klingler, Board Member for Sales at Volkswagen Group and added: `The positive momentum in the Asia-Pacific region continued, with China remaining the Group's largest single market. Furthermore, there are signs of a return to modest growth on the markets in Western Europe. In terms of Group brands, Audi, SKODA and also SEAT recorded the highest percentage increases, with deliveries in some cases rising quite significantly.`
In spite of challenging trading conditions in the first three months of 2014, Volkswagen Group South Africa maintained its market leadership position in the passenger car segment with the total sales of 26 127 {26 858; -2.7percent} units and market share of 23.9percent.
`The passenger car market performance in the first quarter has set the tone of the challenges that lie ahead for the remainder of the year. The trading conditions will continue to be impacted by the weak exchange rate, pressure on household income and subdued consumer confidence. Our current outlook is that the passenger car market will be down by at least 4percent in 2014 compared to 2013,` said Petra Hoffmann, Director: Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Group South Africa.
` We however remain positive that our brands will be resolute in withstanding the prevailing challenges. Not only Volkswagen but Audi also showed this by delivering a sterling performance in the first quarter and gained positive growth in the premium segment,` added Hoffmann.
In the total vehicle market, Volkswagen Group South Africa delivered 28 247 {29 409; -3.9percent} vehicles and gained a market share of 17.6percent.
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 1.48 {1.43; +3.9percent} million vehicles worldwide from January to March. In South Africa, the Volkswagen Passenger Brand sold 20 957 units {22 261;-5.9percent}. Polo Vivo {8 049} and Polo {7 590} were the top selling models in the local passenger car market in the three months of 2014. The launch of the new Golf R in February boosted the sales of the Golf in the first quarter to 2 301 units.
Audi delivered 412 800 {369 500; +11.7percent} million vehicles worldwide in the first quarter of 2014. Audi South Africa's market share in the local premium market grew to 24percent in the first three months of 2014 with the total sales of 5 170 {4 597; +12.5percent} units. The top selling model for Audi in the first three months of 2014 was the A3 with 1 471 units. South Africa is now the 12th biggest market for Audi globally.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 120 900 {123 700; -2.3percent} vehicles to customers from January to March 2014. In South Africa, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles sold 2 120 {2 209; -4.0 percent;} light and medium commercial vehicles.
* excluding MAN and Scania
Volkswagen South Africa
16/04/2014
