VW Brand Cuts Target for its 2013 U.S. Sales

Volkswagen AG has lowered its goal for American sales of its namesake brand this year to 440,000 vehicles from its original target of about 486,000 units, Automotive News reports, citing VW dealers.

The marque had expected to boost U.S. volume 11% from last year's 438,100 vehicles. The objective was part of its plan to hike sales in the country to 800,000 units by 2018.

But VW brand deliveries in the January-June period dipped 1% year over year to 206,800 units. Dealers tell AN that competition in the compact and midsize sedan segments was more intense than the company expected.

VW will disclose only that it expects to increase volume this year, according the newspaper.