VW Group Sales Dropped 5% in August

Volkswagen Group delivered 714,400 vehicles last month compared with 755,200 in August 2014. The 5% decline follows a 4% drop in July, as slumping demand in China, Latin America and Russia continue to offset stronger sales in western Europe and North America.

Volume through the first eight months of 2015 slipped 2% to 6.55 million vehicles. Increases for the period in western Europe (+7% to 1.43 million), Germany (+5% to 864,500) and North America (+6% to 618,300) were overwhelmed by shrinkage in Asia Pacific (-5% to 2.52 million), central/east Europe (-11% to 400,000) and South America (-24% to 391,600).

VW brand passenger vehicle sales in January-August fell 5% to 3.84 million. But deliveries of the group's other brands improved. Demand for Audi vehicles rose 3% to 1.18 million. Sales also advanced for Skoda (+3% to 697,800 units), SEAT (+7% to 275,300) and Porsche (+27% to 252,600).

Sales of VW commercial vehicles slipped 1% to 284,900 units during the eight-month period. Deliveries of large commercial vehicles from MAN and Scania declined 13% to 65,400 and 3% to 47,700, respectively, according to the company.