Volkswagen Group delivers over 9.7 million vehicles in 2013
- Volkswagen Group vehicles sales grow by almost 5%
- Volkswagen Group South Africa tops the local passenger car market for the fifth consecutive year and gains 22.9% market share
- Polo Vivo and Polo top selling passenger models in 2013
- Audi’s market share in premium segment grows to 22.7%
- Volkswagen Group South Africa delivers 111 722 units in the total vehicle market
The Volkswagen Group reported yet another strong increase in its worldwide deliveries for the full year of 2013, topping the record set in 2012.
“In total, our Group delivered over 9.7 million vehicles to customers last year, ranging from small city cars to heavy trucks,” said Christian Klingler, Board Member for Sales at Volkswagen Group, commenting on the overall delivery figures which also include estimates for the MAN and Scania brands. Excluding the heavy truck brands of MAN and Scania, the Volkswagen Group delivered 9.5 (2012: 9.1; +4.8%)* million vehicles in twelve months.
Klingler added: “Across the board, all brands contributed to these positive results which are a very good achievement in light of the difficult conditions on markets all over the world. As far as the current year is concerned, we expect market developments on a level similar to 2013. Even though the situation in Europe would appear to be stabilising, economic uncertainty will continue and the challenges we will be facing on markets will remain virtually unchanged.”
Locally, Volkswagen Group South Africa ended 2013 as the market leader of the passenger car segment for the fifth consecutive year with the total sales of 102 962 (99 106; +3.9%) units (Volkswagen – 83 627 and Audi – 19 335). This achievement gave Volkswagen Group South Africa the overall market share of 22.9%. Volkswagen’s passenger car sales growth of 3.9% was more than double the total passenger car market growth of 1.8% in 2013.
In the total vehicle market, Volkswagen Group South Africa delivered 111 722 (108 386; +3.1%) vehicles and gained the market share of 17.2%.
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 5.93 (5.74; +3.4%) million vehicles to customers worldwide during the full year. In South Africa, the Volkswagen Passenger Brand sold 83 627 units (82 363;+1.5%). Polo Vivo (35 041) and Polo (27 953) – both locally produced – were the top selling models in the local passenger car market in 2013.
Audi delivered 1.58 (1.46; +8.3%) million vehicles worldwide in 2013. Audi South Africa grew its market share in the local premium market to 22.7% in 2013 (21% in 2012) with the total sales of 19 335 (16 743; +15.5%) units. The sales achievement was an all-time record for the Audi Brand in South Africa. Audi achieved 15.5 % year-on-year growth which was above the premium market growth of 6%. The top selling models were A4 (6 591) and A3 (3 380).
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 551 900 (550 200; +0.3%) vehicles to customers last year. In South Africa, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles sold 8 760 (9 280; -8.1%;) light and medium commercial vehicles in 2013.The best sellers were Amarok (4 767) and Crafter (945).
“Volkswagen Group South Africa’s sales performance in 2013 was very encouraging in spite of the increasingly challenging market conditions and labour unrest that we experienced in the second half of the year. Our performance was buoyed by our locally produced models, Polo and Polo Vivo which accounted for nearly 14% of the passenger car sales in South Africa as well as Audi’s record sales in the premium segment,” said Petra Hoffmann, Director: Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Group South Africa.
“2014 will be an even more challenging year given the current trends of key economic indicators such as deteriorating exchange rate, pressure on household income, economic growth restraints and subdued consumer confidence. These will put pressure on the trading conditions and challenge all market players,” added Hoffmann.
*) including deliveries by the Porsche brand from August 1, 2012; excluding MAN and Scania
