VW-brand sales in China drop nearly 1% in January
WOLFSBURG, Germany - Sales of Volkswagen-brand vehicles in China fell 0.7 percent year-on-year to 265,900 units in January as the German automaker lagged the industry.
Volkswagen's slow start echoed that of rival General Motors - China's No. 2 foreign automaker - whose sales last month fell 2.4 percent.
By contrast, industry sales of light vehicles in China rose 10 percent on strong demand for SUVs and MPVs.
Volkswagen's other brands had better results. Last month, Porsche sold 4,946 units in China - up nearly 23 percent. Skoda sales increased 4.7 percent to 28,800 units, and Audi sales increased 15 percent year-on-year to 51,248 vehicles.
Volkswagen did not reveal overall group results.
The automaker's slow start comes at a time when Volkswagen and other automakers are coping with restive dealers who have protested unrealistic sales targets. In January, Volkswagen confirmed that it reached an agreement with its dealers to set reasonable sales goals, but did not offer details.
By contrast, industry sales of light vehicles in China rose 10 percent on strong demand for SUVs and MPVs.
Volkswagen's other brands had better results. Last month, Porsche sold 4,946 units in China - up nearly 23 percent. Skoda sales increased 4.7 percent to 28,800 units, and Audi sales increased 15 percent year-on-year to 51,248 vehicles.
Volkswagen did not reveal overall group results.
The automaker's slow start comes at a time when Volkswagen and other automakers are coping with restive dealers who have protested unrealistic sales targets. In January, Volkswagen confirmed that it reached an agreement with its dealers to set reasonable sales goals, but did not offer details.
