Volkswagen Group delivers 5.079 million vehicles to customers

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Volkswagen Group delivers 5.079 million vehicles to customers

Detroit/Wolfsburg, 10 January 2005 – In 2004, the Volkswagen Group delivered 5.079 million vehicles to customers worldwide. "This is a good sales result given the weak situation on the world’s key automotive markets," said Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, Chairman of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management, on Sunday in Detroit/USA.

Pischetsrieder commented that the Group had felt the effects of the headwind on markets in Germany, China and the USA in particular. He did not expect any substantial impulses or dynamic growth from the markets during the current year. Due to high oil prices and continuing aggressive price battles, the situation on the world’s key markets would remain difficult.

He reported that the Group would be launching 20 new models in 2005. The Jetta had just debuted in the USA. The new Passat would have its première in Germany in February. The Fox compact car would also be introduced in Europe. With these new models, the Group would maintain its position on world markets in 2005.

The increase to 5.079 million vehicles (2003: 5.015 million) represents a rise of 1.3 % compared with the previous year. According to Pischetsrieder, growth was especially noticeable in markets where new models had been launched.

The increase in Group sales was particularly strong in the South America/South Africa region, where deliveries to customers rose 25.2% percent to 533,000 units. Developments in Brazil were especially pleasing, with deliveries increasing 14.9 % to 362,000 vehicles. In Europe, deliveries to customers rose 0.8 % to 3.085 million vehicles. In Germany, Group sales rose by 1.2 % to 954,000 units. However, sales declined in North America (572,000; - 9.3 %) and Asia – Pacific (757,000; - 6.3 %).

At 3.064 million (2003: 3.075 million), sales by the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand remained on a par with the previous year. Skoda deliveries to customers increased by 0.4 % to 452,000 vehicles (2003: 449,758). For the first time, Bentley sold substantially more than 6,000 vehicles (2003: 995).

Audi again posted record sales, with deliveries totalling 779,000 vehicles (+1,2 %, 2003: 769,900). Deliveries to customers at SEAT declined 3.9 % to 442,000 vehicles (2003: 460,151). Lamborghini increased its sales by 22 % to 1,600 sports cars. Sales by the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand rose by 28.8 % to 333,000 (2003: 258,822).

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