VW brand sales rise 11.5% in November
China, U.S. demand continues to offset fall in western European deliveries
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FRANKFURT -- Volkswagen said global sales of its core brand rose 11.5 percent in November to 504,800 vehicles as demand in China and the United States remained robust.
The automaker increased deliveries in most major markets with the exception being western Europe. Strong demand in China, the United States, central and eastern Europe and South America helped offset a continued decline in deliveries in western European markets such as Italy, France and Spain, where weak consumer confidence is keeping buyers out of showrooms.
Despite the economic struggles in parts of Europe, the company anticipates the VW brand will set a new sales record this year. The outlook for 2013, however, is "challenging," VW sales chief Christian Klingler said today in a statement.
Global market sales
Global VW brand sales rose 11.2 percent to 5.22 million through November, the automaker said.
Deliveries in western Europe, excluding Germany, were down 6.4 percent to 782,600 in the first 11 months. In VW's German home market, deliveries rose 0.5 percent to 552,200. Overall European sales for the brand were flat at 1.58 million.
In central and eastern Europe, sales jumped 25.9 percent to 246,500, while deliveries in Russia, grew 45.3 percent to 151,400.
In China, VW's No. 1 market, deliveries for the brand increased 19.2 percent to 1.92 million through November. In the United States, where the automaker is spending $4 billion to boost its market share, sales rose 35 percent to 394,100.
In South America, sales rose 8.2 percent to 766,400. In Brazil, the region's biggest-single market, deliveries grew 10.9 percent to 601,100.
VW Group aims to pass General Motors Co. to become the world's best-selling automaker by 2018. In 2011, VW Group, which includes the Audi, Skoda, Seat and Bentley brands, sold 8.27 million units, behind GM, which sold 9.05 million vehicles, but ahead of No. 3 Toyota at 7.95 million.
