In the past months and years, the Volkswagen Group sported the highest growth rates among its peers, helping Volkswagen finish second place in the ranking of the World’s Largest Automakers 2014. With growth rates twice as large as #1 Toyota and #3 GM, Volkswagen’s ascendance to the top spot looked assured for 2015. Suddenly, the race is wide open again, as Volkswagen’s formerly stellar growth slowed to a trickle in January.
| Volkswagen Group January 2015 | |||
| By Region | Jan’15 | Jan’14 | YoY |
| Total | 817,600 | 811,500 | 0.7% |
| Europe | 287,400 | 279,400 | 2.9% |
| Western Europe ex Ger | 152,200 | 149,300 | 1.9% |
| Germany | 89,300 | 84,200 | 6.1% |
| Central Eastern Eur | 45,900 | 45,900 | 0.0% |
| Russia | 13,800 | 16,600 | -16.9% |
| North America | 63,200 | 58,000 | 9.0% |
| USA | 39,200 | 36,900 | 6.1% |
| South Am | 53,900 | 67,900 | -20.7% |
| Brazil | 38,500 | 48,500 | -20.7% |
| Asia Pacific | 381,300 | 375,000 | 1.7% |
| China | 351,400 | 344,500 | 2.0% |
| By Brand | Jan’15 | Jan’14 | YoY |
| Volkswagen Passenger Cars | 507,100 | 521,600 | -2.8% |
| Audi | 137,700 | 124,900 | 10.3% |
| Porsche | 16,000 | 12,200 | 31.2% |
| ŠKODA | 87,000 | 80,900 | 7.5% |
| SEAT | 27,700 | 26,000 | 6.4% |
| Volkswagen Commercial | 30,600 | 31,600 | -3.3% |
| MAN | 5,600 | 7,800 | -29.0% |
| Scania | 5,000 | 5,600 | -9.7% |
Group deliveries grew only 0.7 percent in January. Sales in China were up 2 percent, in Europe, deliveries grew 2.9 percent. The 16.9 percent reduction of deliveries in Russia did not surprise, the 20.7 percent collapse of the South American market did.
Volkswagen’s passenger car brand is down 2.8 percent, while upscale Audi and Porsche could grow by the double digits.
Thankfully, Volkswagen has begun to report sales of its heavy truck and bus brands MAN and Scania.
