News.

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand in particular reported a rise in market share during the first half of the year, growing 1.7 percentage points to 8.0 (6.3) percent. Deliveries up to the end of June rose by 2.2 percent to 1,949,000 (1,907,800) vehicles. This was primarily due to very positive developments in Germany, Brazil and especially China. Sales figures for the Tiguan, Scirocco, Passat CC and Golf were very pleasing. Judging by the response to date and by the level of orders, positive momentum can be expected from the new Polo over the coming months.
In the region, Volkswagen Middle East is currently experiencing an upbeat year to date, driven especially by the launch of three new models in 2009; the Passat CC, Scirocco and the Golf VI.
“Despite the current economic challenges, Volkswagen Middle East is continuing to have a positive outlook on 2009. We will be launching the new Golf GTI, the global market leader in the high-performance section of its class, in the region in the second half of the year, which we are confident will be well received in our markets.” mentioned Mona El-Mahdi, Public Relations Manager at Volkswagen Middle East.

Comparatively speaking, the Group performed well in all relevant sales regions. While the passenger car market in Europe contracted by 18.4 percent overall, the Group reported a noticeably smaller decline of 11.7 percent to 1,662,900 (1,883,700) units. 221,900 (253,900; -12.6 percent) vehicles were delivered in North America on a market that contracted by 33.2 percent. In South America, the share of the passenger car market rose to 22.1 (19.0) percent. In Brazil, the largest market in this region, deliveries rose by 6.1 percent to 335,700 (316,300) vehicles, surpassing the 3.7 percent rise in the passenger car market.
While the market in the Asia/Pacific sales region decreased by 0.6 percent, the Volkswagen Group reported a rise in the number of vehicles delivered to 723,800 units (610,300; +18.6 percent). In China, deliveries increased to 652,200 units (531,600; +22.7 percent). Group brands delivered 631,900 vehicles (previous year: 534,400; +18.3 percent) on the German market. Volkswagen, the core brand, delivered 339,000 cars (previous year: 269,000; +26.0 percent) in its home market.
* excluding Scania
**excluding Scania, including Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Trucks and Buses for January/February 2009