VW Group Sales Drop 4%

Volkswagen Group reports its global sales declined to 831,300 units in October from 861,700 a year earlier, as a 7% gain in North America was offset by losses in all other major markets.

Deliveries of VW brand vehicles fell 5% to 490,000 units, largely because of suspended diesel sales pending resolution of the company’s diesel emission test scandal. Audi sales rose 2% to 149,200 units, and Porsche deliveries jumped 18% to 18,700.

Group sales through the first 10 months of 2015 totaled 8.26 million, down 2%. Growth in Europe (+3% to 3.41 million) and North America (+6% to 773,600) failed to overcome shrinkage elsewhere.

By brand, January-October sales rose for Audi (+4% to 1.50 million), Skoda (+2% to 880,000), SEAT (+4% to 339,400) and Porsche (+27% to 191,800). Volume fell 5% to 4.84 million for VW brand passenger vehicles.