Volkswagen increases sales in first quarter

Volkswagen Group South Africa delivered 27 958 vehicles in the first quarter of 2012, a 12.5% increase when compared to the same period in 2011. The positive start to 2012 has given Volkswagen a 17.8 % market share in the South African total car market.

Polo Vivo was the top selling brand in the passenger car market with 8 461 units.

"We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter of 2012. All our three brands - Volkswagen passenger, Audi and Volkswagen commercial vehicles - performed well in their respective segments. We hope to maintain this positive trend into the next quarter," said Mike Glendinning, director of sales and marketing at Volkswagen.

Exports also increased

Internationally, Volkswagen delivered 2.16 million vehicles between January and March 2012, a 9.6% increase compared to the same period in 2011. This was the first time that Volkswagen surpassed a two million mark in the first quarter of the year. During March 2012, the group also reported record deliveries of 862 700 vehicles, a 12.5% increase compared to March 2011.

Christian Klingler, member of the board of management of Volkswagen said: "We developed very well in the first quarter. We produced another strong performance in North America, China and Russia. However, uncertainty continues particularly on the markets in Western Europe."