Beijing, 2010-07-06
New models drive Volkswagen Group China to record sales
· Strong month for Volkswagen Lavida and New Bora, Audi Q5 and Škoda Superb models
· Audi sold more than 100,000 units within a half year for the first time
· New Volkswagen Phaeton debuted in China, its largest sales market
· First locally produced four-door sports coupe, Volkswagen CC, rolls out
Volkswagen Group China, along with its two joint ventures Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen, announced today that it delivered 950,278 cars in the first half of 2010 to customers in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. The high sales number marks a striking increase of 45.7 percent over last year’s performance (January-June 2009: 652,222 units).
First-half sales of Volkswagen brand vehicles reached 755,739 units (January-June 2009: 538,969), up by 40.2 percent, including 21,760 imported vehicles. Audi delivered 109,887 vehicles to customers (January-June 2009: 66,866), up 64.3 percent, including 15,894 imported units. Škoda sold 84,135 cars (January-June 2009: 46,144), up 82.3 percent. Sales for Bentley and Lamborghini reached 410 and 107 respectively during this period.
“Volkswagen Group China has actively participated in the booming growth of the Chinese auto market. All our locally produced brands significantly improved their performance,” said Dr. Winfried Vahland, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China. “The great success of Volkswagen Group in the first half of 2010 is based on products that make emotional connections with drivers, as well as customer confidence in our cutting-edge and environment friendly technologies. The high customer demand for our latest models, such as the Volkswagen CC, Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q5 and Škoda Superb, will be a challenge for us over the coming months. In terms of sales growth, we are achieving according to our positive strategic plans and are poised to speed up in the second half on 2010. Our top priority—customer satisfaction—remains unchanged, and we will continue to work intensively with our sales channels to further improve our services.”
Locally produced models are winners
The sales champions of the first half of the year, Volkswagen Lavida (more than 21,000 units sold in June) and Volkswagen New Bora (more than 15,000 units sold in June) have proven to be the right products for Chinese customers, shattering new sales records every month of 2010. The highly anticipated launch of the locally produced Volkswagen CC four-door sports coupe has been set for July 15 in Shanghai.
The Audi Q5, the first locally produced premium SUV, clearly dominated its segment with 7,906 sold units since market entry. In June, Audi set a new sales record of more than 20,000 units in a single month.
The Škoda Superb, equipped with the 1.4 TSI engine and DSG transmission, has won over Chinese drivers with its exceptional comfort and environmentally friendly technologies. Sales of the most requested Škoda model, the Škoda Octavia, exceeded 47,000 units in the first half of 2010.
EXPO 2010, China E-Mobility Strategy, New Volkswagen Phaeton
Through a range of activities, Volkswagen Group China is supporting the Expo 2010 themes of sustainability and an environment friendly lifestyle. Special editions of 3,650 Volkswagen Touran taxi cabs are now on the streets throughout Shanghai. Staff and guests of the German, Austria and Czech Expo pavilions and the consulate general of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Chamber of Foreign Trade are all using Group models.
The recently announced China E-Mobility Strategy paves the road for Volkswagen Group to sprint ahead of its competitors with more environmental and sustainable technologies. Volkswagen Group China has already brought its latest fuel efficient powertrain technologies, such as TSI, TFSI, TDI and DSG, to China and kept its promise of a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions for 2010. With the first locally produced E-cars rolling out in 2013-2014, Volkswagen and its joint-venture partners will make the E-car affordable and practical for China’s consumers, as well as contribute to improved sustainability in China’s auto industry.
The debut of the Volkswagen Phaeton brought media from across the globe to Sanya, China, for the car’s premiere media test drive. With more than 3,000 deliveries in 2010, China will maintain its position as the largest market for the handcrafted flagship of Volkswagen.
Growing capacity
“We are practically sold out of many of our models,” said Dr. Winfried Vahland. “With our new DSG-transmission factory in Dalian, we can deliver the latest environmentally friendly transmissions to our customers in China. The capacity of the Shanghai Volkswagen Nanjing and FAW-Volkswagen Chengdu plants will grow even further. And with the construction of the new FAW-Volkswagen Foshan plant and another new Shanghai Volkswagen plant, we are entering new provinces in China and poised to better satisfy future customer demand.”
Volkswagen Group China: 2010 Highlights
January
· New sales record: 1.4 million cars delivered in 2009
· Launch of Limited Edition Volkswagen Touareg in Shenzhen
· Launch of Audi TT Collector’s Edition
February
· Volkswagen Golf GTI media test drive at Zhuhai International Circuit
· FAW-Volkswagen begins production of its 1.4TSI engines
March
· Volkswagen is official title sponsor of “Volkswagen 2010 Table Tennis Cup,” and the first tournament held in Guangzhou
· Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV Driving Experience event held at Shanghai International Circuit
· Launch of Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI in Zhuhai · Launch of Volkswagen Golf GTI in Guangzhou
· Launch of Volkswagen Tiguan in Shenzhen · Start of production on 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI engines by Shanghai Volkswagen
· Audi Q5 Road Show in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou · New sales record: 457,259 cars delivered in Q1/2010 (+60.9 percent)
April
· Launch of Škoda Octavia facelift in Suzhou
· Kick off for “Green City, Green Life – Volkswagen Green Future Environmental Education Initiative” (2010-2012) held in Beijing
· Handover of Expo vehicle fleet to the German Expo Pavilion
· Beijing Auto Show 2010 · World debut of New Volkswagen Phaeton at Beijing Auto Show
· Announcement of China E-Mobility Strategy in Beijing
· Volkswagen intensifies investment program in China with further EUR 1.6 billion for new models and additional capacities
· Audi BAZAAR Charity Night
· Audi Driving Experience at F1 Circuit (Shanghai)
May
· Škoda GreenLine cars begin shuttle services for Expo 2010 Shanghai
· New Beetle Art Gallery Charity Auction and Exhibition held in Hong Kong
· Lamborghini is primary sponsor of Bologna Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai
· Audi Quattro Golf Cup in Shanghai
· Launch of production on DSG transmission at VWATD Dalian plant
· Volkswagen and Dalian University of Technology sign automotive education agreement
· Scirocco Cup test drive held in Zhuhai · Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 static launch event held at 798 Art District in Beijing
June
· E-Mobility workshop held in Shanghai
· New Volkswagen Phaeton launches with international media test drive in Sanya
· Cooperated with CBN (China Business News), Volkswagen launched multiple channel communication on "Think Blue." during EXPO
· Kick off New Beatle “Color of City” campaign
· Audi Art and Design Award launch ceremony
· FAW-Volkswagen Foshan plant - contract signing ceremony
· Shanghai Media Center Media Self-driving Trip to South of Anhui
· Official launch of Lamborghini Magazine in China
· Scirocco cup test drive in Sepang, Malaysia
· Volkswagen 2010 China vs. World Team Challenge table tennis match in Shanghai
· New sales record: 950,278 cars delivered in the first half of 2010 (+ 45.7 percent)
July
· “Road Safety Education TV Program” launch in Guangzhou
· The 2010 Blue Book of China Auto Industry launch
· Launch of Volkswagen CC in Shanghai
First-half sales of Volkswagen brand vehicles reached 755,739 units (January-June 2009: 538,969), up by 40.2 percent, including 21,760 imported vehicles. Audi delivered 109,887 vehicles to customers (January-June 2009: 66,866), up 64.3 percent, including 15,894 imported units. Škoda sold 84,135 cars (January-June 2009: 46,144), up 82.3 percent. Sales for Bentley and Lamborghini reached 410 and 107 respectively during this period.
“Volkswagen Group China has actively participated in the booming growth of the Chinese auto market. All our locally produced brands significantly improved their performance,” said Dr. Winfried Vahland, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China. “The great success of Volkswagen Group in the first half of 2010 is based on products that make emotional connections with drivers, as well as customer confidence in our cutting-edge and environment friendly technologies. The high customer demand for our latest models, such as the Volkswagen CC, Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q5 and Škoda Superb, will be a challenge for us over the coming months. In terms of sales growth, we are achieving according to our positive strategic plans and are poised to speed up in the second half on 2010. Our top priority—customer satisfaction—remains unchanged, and we will continue to work intensively with our sales channels to further improve our services.”
Locally produced models are winners
The sales champions of the first half of the year, Volkswagen Lavida (more than 21,000 units sold in June) and Volkswagen New Bora (more than 15,000 units sold in June) have proven to be the right products for Chinese customers, shattering new sales records every month of 2010. The highly anticipated launch of the locally produced Volkswagen CC four-door sports coupe has been set for July 15 in Shanghai.
The Audi Q5, the first locally produced premium SUV, clearly dominated its segment with 7,906 sold units since market entry. In June, Audi set a new sales record of more than 20,000 units in a single month.
The Škoda Superb, equipped with the 1.4 TSI engine and DSG transmission, has won over Chinese drivers with its exceptional comfort and environmentally friendly technologies. Sales of the most requested Škoda model, the Škoda Octavia, exceeded 47,000 units in the first half of 2010.
EXPO 2010, China E-Mobility Strategy, New Volkswagen Phaeton
Through a range of activities, Volkswagen Group China is supporting the Expo 2010 themes of sustainability and an environment friendly lifestyle. Special editions of 3,650 Volkswagen Touran taxi cabs are now on the streets throughout Shanghai. Staff and guests of the German, Austria and Czech Expo pavilions and the consulate general of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Chamber of Foreign Trade are all using Group models.
The recently announced China E-Mobility Strategy paves the road for Volkswagen Group to sprint ahead of its competitors with more environmental and sustainable technologies. Volkswagen Group China has already brought its latest fuel efficient powertrain technologies, such as TSI, TFSI, TDI and DSG, to China and kept its promise of a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions for 2010. With the first locally produced E-cars rolling out in 2013-2014, Volkswagen and its joint-venture partners will make the E-car affordable and practical for China’s consumers, as well as contribute to improved sustainability in China’s auto industry.
The debut of the Volkswagen Phaeton brought media from across the globe to Sanya, China, for the car’s premiere media test drive. With more than 3,000 deliveries in 2010, China will maintain its position as the largest market for the handcrafted flagship of Volkswagen.
Growing capacity
“We are practically sold out of many of our models,” said Dr. Winfried Vahland. “With our new DSG-transmission factory in Dalian, we can deliver the latest environmentally friendly transmissions to our customers in China. The capacity of the Shanghai Volkswagen Nanjing and FAW-Volkswagen Chengdu plants will grow even further. And with the construction of the new FAW-Volkswagen Foshan plant and another new Shanghai Volkswagen plant, we are entering new provinces in China and poised to better satisfy future customer demand.”
Volkswagen Group China: 2010 Highlights
January
· New sales record: 1.4 million cars delivered in 2009
· Launch of Limited Edition Volkswagen Touareg in Shenzhen
· Launch of Audi TT Collector’s Edition
February
· Volkswagen Golf GTI media test drive at Zhuhai International Circuit
· FAW-Volkswagen begins production of its 1.4TSI engines
March
· Volkswagen is official title sponsor of “Volkswagen 2010 Table Tennis Cup,” and the first tournament held in Guangzhou
· Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV Driving Experience event held at Shanghai International Circuit
· Launch of Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI in Zhuhai · Launch of Volkswagen Golf GTI in Guangzhou
· Launch of Volkswagen Tiguan in Shenzhen · Start of production on 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI engines by Shanghai Volkswagen
· Audi Q5 Road Show in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou · New sales record: 457,259 cars delivered in Q1/2010 (+60.9 percent)
April
· Launch of Škoda Octavia facelift in Suzhou
· Kick off for “Green City, Green Life – Volkswagen Green Future Environmental Education Initiative” (2010-2012) held in Beijing
· Handover of Expo vehicle fleet to the German Expo Pavilion
· Beijing Auto Show 2010 · World debut of New Volkswagen Phaeton at Beijing Auto Show
· Announcement of China E-Mobility Strategy in Beijing
· Volkswagen intensifies investment program in China with further EUR 1.6 billion for new models and additional capacities
· Audi BAZAAR Charity Night
· Audi Driving Experience at F1 Circuit (Shanghai)
May
· Škoda GreenLine cars begin shuttle services for Expo 2010 Shanghai
· New Beetle Art Gallery Charity Auction and Exhibition held in Hong Kong
· Lamborghini is primary sponsor of Bologna Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai
· Audi Quattro Golf Cup in Shanghai
· Launch of production on DSG transmission at VWATD Dalian plant
· Volkswagen and Dalian University of Technology sign automotive education agreement
· Scirocco Cup test drive held in Zhuhai · Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 static launch event held at 798 Art District in Beijing
June
· E-Mobility workshop held in Shanghai
· New Volkswagen Phaeton launches with international media test drive in Sanya
· Cooperated with CBN (China Business News), Volkswagen launched multiple channel communication on "Think Blue." during EXPO
· Kick off New Beatle “Color of City” campaign
· Audi Art and Design Award launch ceremony
· FAW-Volkswagen Foshan plant - contract signing ceremony
· Shanghai Media Center Media Self-driving Trip to South of Anhui
· Official launch of Lamborghini Magazine in China
· Scirocco cup test drive in Sepang, Malaysia
· Volkswagen 2010 China vs. World Team Challenge table tennis match in Shanghai
· New sales record: 950,278 cars delivered in the first half of 2010 (+ 45.7 percent)
July
· “Road Safety Education TV Program” launch in Guangzhou
· The 2010 Blue Book of China Auto Industry launch
· Launch of Volkswagen CC in Shanghai