Volkswagen Accelerates In October, But Won't Unseat GM

by Bertel Schmitt

Published: November 16th, 2012

volkswagen accelerates in october but won t unseat gm

Despite a tough situation at home, the Volkswagen Group continues to power ahead in the global markets. Volkswagen increased its global sales by 14.6 percent in October. For the year, Volkswagen delivered 7.5 million units worldwide, up 10.2 percent. In China, Volkswagen is nipping at GM’s heels, but does not seem to be able to overtake the General.

Hold position in Europe, attack abroad. This seems to be the current strategy of Volkswagen. According to data released by the company today, Volkswagen sales were flat the EU, where losses in Western Europe were compensated in Germany and Eastern Europe.

Volkswagen global group deliveries October 201210M’1210M’11YoYOct ’12Oct ’11YoYTotal7,500,0006,800,00010.2%788,700688,00014.6%Europe3,100,0003,070,0000.9%300,000300,0000.0%Ger994,500960,8003.5%104,60096,4008.5%WEur ex D1,570,0001,670,000-5.8%140,000150,000-6.7%EEur534,600441,50021.1%54,60051,4006.2%China2,260,0001,890,00019.6%260,000200,00030.0%USA481,100360,40033.5%49,50038,50028.6%South Am842,200777,2008.4%89,70076,20017.7%Black: VW data. Blue: TTAC calculatedIncluding Porsche from August 1, 2012. Excluding MAN and Scania

In China, Volkswagen is seen up 30 percent in October , not to our surprise. Already going strong in the Middle Kingdom, Volkswagen profited from the misfortune of Japanese brands. However, Volkswagen did not manage to overtake GM in unit sales in China. Year to date, GM is looking at 2.33 million units sold in China (including 1.2 million Wulings…) vs. 2.26 million at Volkswagen. No new GM numbers are expected until the 4th quarter results, but it does not look like Volkswagen will be able to edge by GM on a global basis either.

Note: Volkswagen does only publish year-to-date, but no monthly data. Monthly data are calculated and subject to rounding errors.

#BertelSchmitt #Germany #October2012 #Sales #Volkswagen

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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2 of 4 comments

Srogers on Nov 16, 2012

About the characters in the image- Given that they both have the same nasty rash, I wouldn't sleep with either one of them.

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Tinker on Nov 18, 2012

Not just a rash, but terminal red DANDRUFF, too. Is there a cure? And a fish eye earring, as well.

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