The month of June was equally positive, with deliveries running at 798,500 (June 2011: 719,400; +11.0%)* units. ‘Deliveries by the Volkswagen Group developed very well in the first half of the year. But that is by no means cause for euphoria. The economic situation, particularly in Western Europe, remains tense and difficult,’ Group Board Member for Sales, Christian Klingler said and added: ‘We remain on track and are entering the second half year, which will be altogether more challenging, with confidence.’

The Group brands delivered a total of 1.93 (1.90; +1.8 %) million vehicles to customers on the overall European market in the first half year. In Western Europe (excluding Germany), 1.01 (1.07; -5.7 %) million customers took possession of a new vehicle. The Group brands once again reported vigorous growth in the Central and Eastern Europe region, handing over 322,900 (253,700; +27.3 %) vehicles to customers there. In its home market of Germany, deliveries by the Volkswagen Group rose 4.4 % to 606,100 (580,600) units.

Developments on the American continent were again positive. Unit sales in North America were up 22.1 % in the period to June to 389,800 (319,100), of which 275,200 (211,000; +30.4 %) were delivered in the United States. The Volkswagen Group handed over 469,500 (455,200; +3.1 %) vehicles to customers in the South America region during the same period.

Group figures for the Asia-Pacific region were also very encouraging. 1.48 (1.26; +17.6 %) million vehicles were handed over to customers there in the first six months, of which 1.30 (1.11; +17.5 %) million units were delivered in China, the region’s largest single market. In India, 60,900 (55,100; +10.4 %) customers took delivery of a new vehicle from the Group.

Outline of developments at Group brands

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 2.79 (2.53; +10.2 %) million vehicles to customers worldwide from January to June. The brand developed particularly well in the United States, where 208,700 (154,100; +35.4 %) vehicles were handed over. Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 134,000 (92,300; +45.2 %) vehicles in the Central and Eastern Europe region over the same period.

Audi delivered 733,200 (652,900) vehicles worldwide in the first half year, an increase of 12.3 %. The premium brand from Ingolstadt benefited among other things from significant double-digit growth in China, where 193,900 (140,700; +37.8 %) were delivered to customers, and the United States, where 65,200 (55,900; +16.5 %) units were handed over. The brand also reported an increase in Europe, where deliveries rose by 2.8 % compared with the same period in 2011 to 393,300 (382,800).

The SKODA brand delivered 493,000 (454,700; +8.4 %) vehicles worldwide from January to June. The company developed particularly well in the Central and Eastern Europe region, where customers took delivery of 131,800 (113,500; +16.2 %) new vehicles. ŠKODA grew deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region to 144,900 (128,900; +12.4 %) units.

SEAT delivered 163,300 (186,400; -12.4%) vehicles worldwide in the period to June. The company handed over 139,100 (167,900; -17.2%) models to customers on the overall European market where the situation remained difficult. There were encouraging trends in Germany, where 28,400 (26,300; +8.0%) units were delivered, the UK, where 19,800 (18,500; +6.8%) customers chose a SEAT model, and Mexico, where deliveries totalled 10,200 (8,500; +20.5%) vehicles.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles grew deliveries 3.7% to 270,000 (260,300) units in the first half year. 63,000 (59,700; +5.5%) vehicles were handed over to customers in the home market of Germany. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also developed very well across Europe, with 165,900 (158,400; +4.7%) units delivered on the overall European market.

*) excluding MAN and Scania