VW Sets Sales Record for 2016

Sales by Volkswagen Group grew 4% to a record 10.31 million units in 2016. The gain is expected to be enough to enable the company to surpass Toyota Motor Corp. and become the world’s biggest carmaker.

VW’s December sales climbed 12% to 933,300 units worldwide. The total includes the group’s car and commercial vehicle operations and reflects year-on-year gains in all major regional markets and for all marques.

VW brand sales, shrugging off the effects of a continuing diesel emission cheating scandal, surged 16% to 567,900 units last month and rose 3% to 5.99 million for the year. December sales also advanced for Skoda (+6% to 91,500 units), SEAT (+8% to 30,500) and Porsche (+28% to 19,500). Audi sales for the month slipped 1% to 157,400 units.

Regional deliveries for the full year grew in Asia Pacific (+10% to 4.32 million, including a 12% gain to 4.32 million in China). Demand also rose in Europe (+4% to 4.21 million vehicles) and North America (+1% to 939,100). Volume in 2016 shrank in South America (-25% to 421,300 units).