Global vehicle deliveries by the Volkswagen Group in January and February 2012 rose by 7.7 per cent to 1.29 (January-February 2011: 1.20) million units. On a world automotive market which was up by roughly 6 per cent, Europe’s largest automaker therefore extended its market position further and won market share. The month of February was particularly satisfactory, with vehicle deliveries totalling 642,300 (February 2011: 557,900; +15.1 per cent)* units. “We are very satisfied with the Group’s noticeably positive performance. However, we will remain vigilant over the coming months in spite of this clear upward trend and are keeping a very close eye on the markets – especially in Western Europe,” the Group Board Member for Sales, Christian Klingler, said in Wolfsburg on Friday.

The Group brands delivered a total of 532,700 (526,000; +1.3 per cent) vehicles on the overall European market in the period to February. 281,200 (302,200; -7.0 per cent) customers took delivery of a new vehicle on markets in Western Europe (excluding Germany), which are characterised by uncertainty at the moment. On the home market of Germany, Europe’s largest automotive group grew deliveries to 162,300 (157,300; +3.2 per cent) units. The company once again reported strong growth in Central and Eastern Europe, where 89,200 (66,500; +34.2 per cent) vehicles were delivered to customers.

The Group announced encouraging delivery figures for the Asia / Pacific region in the first two months of the year, handing over 451,200 (394,600; +14.4 per cent) vehicles to customers there, of which 397,400 (350,600; +13.4 per cent) units were delivered in China, the largest single market. In India, deliveries increased by 23.1 per cent to 19,800 (16,100) units.

Deliveries also continued to develop well on the American continent. In January and February, the number of vehicles sold in the North America region increased by 25.7 per cent to 110,100 (87,600) units, of which 76,000 (55,700; +36.5 per cent) units were delivered in the USA. The Volkswagen Group handed over 146,200 (145,400; +0,6 per cent) vehicles to customers in the South America region during the same period.