Volkswagen Group sells 813,700 vehicles in January, down 4% YoY

The Volkswagen Group has announced its global sales for January 2016: 813,700 vehicles, which are a de-growth of 4% year on year.  

"Following strong growth last year, special effects in China affected deliveries at the beginning of the year. Especially the early date of the Chinese New Year, the increase in tax on vehicles with small engines and temporary restraint in planning on the part of Audi dealers had an impact on the sales results for January. However, we expect to continue healthy growth in China this year," said Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, commenting on the figures for January. "Outside China, the Group recorded solid growth of 4.9 percent in its worldwide markets," Kappler added.

In Europe, the Group saw sales rise by 7.0 percent to 312,900 vehicles. Group deliveries in Western Europe rose by 5.8 percent. Of 262,900 vehicles delivered, the home market of Germany accounted for 91,100 units. Central and Eastern European markets improved their delivery figures by 13.6 percent, handing 50,000 vehicles over to customers in the region. There was a slight increase in deliveries in Russia to 9,800 vehicles (+1.3 percent).

In January, the Group handed 66,600 vehicles over to customers in America, representing growth of 9.0 percent. With 41,500 deliveries to customers (+14.0 percent), the US market made a solid start in the new year. In South America, the Group delivered 39,600 vehicles   (+8.6 percent).

Special effects in China had an adverse impact on January deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region. In the first month of the year, 368,000 vehicles were delivered in the region, including 344,000 vehicles handed over to customers in China – a fall of 14.0 percent.

In India, Volkswagen sold 4,060 cars, a growth of 1.05% over January 2015 sales.