Volkswagen records a slight decline in sales of electric vehicles

The Volkswagen Group increased its shipments by 3 percent to 2.10 million vehicles in the first quarter of 2024. The main drivers of growth were China (+8%), South America (+14%) and North America (+5%). Vehicles with combustion engines increased 4 percent to 1.97 million units, more than offsetting a slight decline of 3 percent to 136,400 vehicles for fully electric models. In this segment, the large increase in China (+91%) could not fully compensate for the decrease in Europe (-24%).

However, incoming orders for electric vehicles in Western Europe grew strongly positive from January to March. More than twice as many electric models were ordered as in the same period last year (+154%), so that the order backlog for electric vehicles currently stands at around 160,000 vehicles, VW said in a recent statement.

“In what remains a challenging market environment, the Volkswagen Group achieved a solid delivery performance in the first quarter. Our broad product portfolio gives us the flexibility we need to cover fluctuations in demand in some areas – such as fully electric vehicles – in others.“, says Hildegard Wortmann, member of the Extended Sales Group Management. “The high level of consumption of our electric models in Europe makes us confident that we will grow in this segment in our home region and worldwide throughout the year.“.

Delivery in the regions continued as follows in the first quarter of 2024: In Europe The shipment of 906,700 vehicles was at the level of the previous year (percent -0.3). Of these, 74,400 vehicles had a fully electric vehicle (-24 percent). A total of 790,100 vehicles were delivered to customers in Western Europe (-1 percent), of which 271,200 were in Germany, the group’s home market (1 percent).

In North America The Volkswagen Group increased its shipments by 5 percent to 227,100 vehicles. Of these, 155,900 group models were in the USA (-2 percent). There, 13,200 customers chose a fully electric car (-16 percent). In South America The group delivered 14 percent more cars to customers than the same period last year, a total of 118,500 cars. The increase was particularly significant at 26 percent in Brazil, where 93,500 models were produced.

Region of the Dead Asia Pacific recorded an overall increase in shipments of 5 percent to 764,800 vehicles. The main driver of growth here was China, the group’s largest market. Despite the difficult market environment, shipments there increased by 8 percent to 693,600 vehicles. All types of electricity recorded a significant increase, with an increase of 91 percent to 41,000 units.

The most successful types of electricity companies in the world in the first quarter of 2024 were:

Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5: 34.600
Volkswagen ID.3: 26,100
Audi Q4 e-tron (including Sportback): 22,800
Škoda Enyaq (including Coupé): 14,000
Audi Q8 e-tron (with Sportback): 9600
Volkswagen ID. Buzz (including luggage): 7,000
Cupra Born: 6900

In 2024, the Volkswagen Group will launch more than 30 new models, including many fully electric vehicles in several segments such as the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer and ID. Long wheelbase Buzz, Cupra Tavascan, Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric.

Source: VW – press release from April 10, 2024