VW Group Sales Fall 4%

Volkswagen Group blames China’s slumping market for its 4% drop to 998,900 passenger and commercial vehicle sales in March.

The company reports its retail deliveries in China fell 9% to 324,900 units last month. The downturn overwhelmed gains in Europe (+1% to 483,100 cars and trucks), the U.S. (+8% to 62,500) and Brazil (+4% to 33,700).

VW’s global retail volume in the first quarter of 2019 declined 3% to 2.61 million vehicles. Even so, the company continued for the third consecutive month to outperform the overall market, thereby gaining market share.

By major brand, retail sales last month fell for VW (-7% to 542,700 vehicles), Audi (-1% to 182,800) and Skoda (-5% to 114,200). SEAT sales rose 4% to 62,700 cars.

Demand for the group’s commercial vehicles expanded last month. Sales climbed for VW Commercial Vehicles (+4% to 50,600 units), MAN (+9% to 13,700) and Scania (+114% to 9,500).