In spite of losing ground in Europe, where (excluding Germany) it delivered 844,500 vehicles, 6.9 percent less than in 2011, last year was a great one for the Volkswagen brand as its global sales reached 5.74 million units, an increase of 12.7 percent compared to the previous count.
Sales were slightly down in its home market, too, dropping by 1.2 percent to 586,100 vehicles. In Central and Eastern Europe, though, which are not hit by the debt crisis, its sales increased by 22.4 percent.
VW fared even better last year in the Asia-Pacific region, with 2.37 million sales (+23.2 percent), of which 2.15 million were in China where it recorded an increase of 24.8 percent.
The German brand also fared well in the American continent: VW Passenger Cars sales rose by 35.1 percent in the U.S., to 438,100 units, and by 8.3 percent in South America to 863,000 units.
“There has been another strong increase for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand even though market conditions were at times difficult”, said VW head of sales and marketing Christian Klingler. “Our new Golf has got off to an excellent start and significantly strengthened Volkswagen’s competitive position. 2013 will be a very demanding year, and we will be facing new and difficult challenges, but we are well prepared.”
By Andrew Tsaousis
PHOTO GALLERY
