New Volkswagen Reliability: Consistently Good Numbers

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Volkswagen may have garnered a bad rap for being in the shop too much. Their sales performance however continues without a single breakdown. According to the July data (global, consolidated, all companies), the Volkswagen Group had a 16.3 percent unit sale rise in July (compared to July 2010) . From January to July, 4.75 million vehicles were sold worldwide, a 14.4 percent increase.

July deliveries were 665,600 (July 2010: 572,100). With a growth rate of 14.4 percent in the first seven months, Volkswagen performed better than the world market, which Volkswagen has at 5.5 percent plus. Volkswagen therefore gained global market share.

Jan-July by market:

In Europe: 2.20 million units, up 10.2 percent.
North America: 375,500 units, up 21.4 percent
U.S: 249,500 units, up 20.5 percent.
Asia / Pacific: 1.46 million units, up 19.2 percent.
China: 1.29 million units, up 16.4 percent

Jan-July by brand:

Volkswagen Passenger Cars: 2.95 million units, up 12.5 percent.
Audi: 758,900 units, up 17.4 percent.
Škoda: 523,200 units, up 19.7 percent.
SEAT: 215,500 units, up 19.7 percent.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: 303,100 units, up 28.2 percent.

Other brands not mentioned in the dispatch.


Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Wsn Wsn on Aug 20, 2011

    The rise of VW sales does not imply that the quality or reliability of the cars are better. Just that middle class people around the globe sank further on the wealth ladder. If you look at China, the best selling VW model is not Passat, but instead two decade old Jetta (the best selling Honda model is Accord).

  • Spyked Spyked on Aug 20, 2011

    I agree that increased sales doesn't mean increased reliability. In VW's case it at least means that people are realizing that Honda and Toyota aren't any MORE reliable than VW, so you might as well buy what you want for your money. Proof is in the pudding - all these new Jettas aren't being sold to traditional VW buyers if you listen to the whiners on the VW blogs. They are being sold to people that used to buy Corollas and Civics and decided to make a change.

    • See 1 previous
    • 95_SC 95_SC on Aug 21, 2011

      @Rada See above...though we did go back after that experiment

  • Sundowner Sundowner on Aug 21, 2011

    I owned a 2010 Jetta TDI for 10 incredibly painful months. I would not urinate on that car to extinguish an inevitable electrical fire.

  • Cabriolet Cabriolet on Aug 21, 2011

    Always love to read the articles about VW's. If it is not about Honda or Toyota the VW haters come out in droves. I have owned or sold just about every car made that you can buy in the USA. Some were great cars and some were junk. Myself i have driven VW's for about 25 years and during that time i have also owned Honda's and Toyota's. Some years were great and some complete junk. I look at it like the luck of the draw. After driving a Toyota or a Honda and the car runs well i will keep it for a while but i always get bored with them. Someone offers me a good price and i unload it. I enjoy a good car like everyone else but when the car handles like a 1948 Buick that i had as a kid i draw the line. Life is short and i have only been driving for 60 year. Today just about every car made is good. The manufacturer would not last 2 months if they were not. I own a 2009 VW TDI sedan that i use for our vacations and my wife drives a 2008 Volvo C30. Both cars are bulletproof. I also have a 42 year old Beetle that i use for local trips like to drive to the club house for the morning run or to use for shopping. Yes this car has approx 200,000 miles on it and is still running. After 42 years it needs a little TLC but it is fun to work on. On the other hand our newer cars other then normal service seem to just go on and on. As some one said drive more worry less.

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