VW Group deliveries fall 9.6% to start year
Volkswagen AG says combined deliveries of its brands in China fell 9.6 percent year on year to 567,000 vehicles in the first two months.
The company's VW, Skoda and Audi brands all suffered declining sales for the period -- an indication that a recovery will be difficult.
The VW brand's sales fell 7.6 percent to 441,300 vehicles. Audi volume declined 24 percent to 67,336 vehicles, and Skoda sales fell 9 percent to 45,000. Sales of VW's Porsche brand were not available.
Volkswagen Group's sales looked especially shaky in light of industry light-vehicle sales, which rose 6.3 percent.
Last week, VW asserted that the Volkswagen brand was hurt by China's sales tax on small cars, which rose from 5 percent to 7.5 percent on Jan. 1.
But Audi's troubles run deeper. The luxury brand's China operation has been stymied by angry dealers who stopped ordering new vehicles in January. (See related article in today's newsletter).
Volkswagen's chief rival in China, General Motors, also has been struggling. In the first two months, GM China deliveries declined 15 percent year on year to 567,994 vehicles.
GM's Cadillac luxury brand has enjoyed robust sales in China, but Chevrolet has struggled.
The VW brand's sales fell 7.6 percent to 441,300 vehicles. Audi volume declined 24 percent to 67,336 vehicles, and Skoda sales fell 9 percent to 45,000. Sales of VW's Porsche brand were not available.
Volkswagen Group's sales looked especially shaky in light of industry light-vehicle sales, which rose 6.3 percent.
Last week, VW asserted that the Volkswagen brand was hurt by China's sales tax on small cars, which rose from 5 percent to 7.5 percent on Jan. 1.
But Audi's troubles run deeper. The luxury brand's China operation has been stymied by angry dealers who stopped ordering new vehicles in January. (See related article in today's newsletter).
Volkswagen's chief rival in China, General Motors, also has been struggling. In the first two months, GM China deliveries declined 15 percent year on year to 567,994 vehicles.
GM's Cadillac luxury brand has enjoyed robust sales in China, but Chevrolet has struggled.
