Beijing, 2007-04-06
Quarterly sales of Volkswagen Group China first time over 200,000 units
Environmental friendly growth with new powertrain strategy
Volkswagen Group China (VGC), with its two joint ventures Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen increased sales in China mainland and Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2007 by 23 percent to 202,623 (1-3 2006: 164,708) vehicles. Sales of the Volkswagen brand amounted to 178,070 (1-3 2006: 145,352, up 22.5 percent) including 1,483 imported vehicles. Audi delivered 24,342 vehicles to customers (1-3 2006: 19,161, up 27.0 percent) including 1,749 imported units. The financial result in the first quarter is above previous year’s level and in line with the company’s expectations.
“The current momentum of our restructuring strategy Olympic Program and the new models we are going to introduce this year, will help to keep the growth rate of sales and profitability,” said Dr. Winfried Vahland, President and CEO of VGC.
“We not only want to be the clear market leader, we also take our responsibility for growing in compliance with environmental protection and ahead of governmental regulations. Our goal is to become the most environmental friendly car manufacturer in China,” he added.
VGC and both car producing joint ventures committed themselves to reduce fuel consumption and emission of their fleet by more than 20 percent until 2010. To reach their target they introduced the most advanced Turbo FSI technology to China. A new engine plant for these FSI engines started production end of March. An additional fuel and emission reducing effect will come from the use of a new automatic transmission for models produced in China.
“Our efforts as the automobile partner of the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 and reliable partner of China will help to achieve sustainable effects on a green future of the country,” Dr. Vahland said. Besides the new powertrain strategy VGC’s measures include also to adopt the environment management standard ISO 14001 in all its production sites in China until the end of 2007. Shanghai Volkswagen, FAW-Volkswagen, Volkswagen Transmission (Shanghai) and Volkswagen-FAW Platform Company are already certified by this management standard, the other companies are in the process of being certified.
“The current momentum of our restructuring strategy Olympic Program and the new models we are going to introduce this year, will help to keep the growth rate of sales and profitability,” said Dr. Winfried Vahland, President and CEO of VGC.
“We not only want to be the clear market leader, we also take our responsibility for growing in compliance with environmental protection and ahead of governmental regulations. Our goal is to become the most environmental friendly car manufacturer in China,” he added.
VGC and both car producing joint ventures committed themselves to reduce fuel consumption and emission of their fleet by more than 20 percent until 2010. To reach their target they introduced the most advanced Turbo FSI technology to China. A new engine plant for these FSI engines started production end of March. An additional fuel and emission reducing effect will come from the use of a new automatic transmission for models produced in China.
“Our efforts as the automobile partner of the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 and reliable partner of China will help to achieve sustainable effects on a green future of the country,” Dr. Vahland said. Besides the new powertrain strategy VGC’s measures include also to adopt the environment management standard ISO 14001 in all its production sites in China until the end of 2007. Shanghai Volkswagen, FAW-Volkswagen, Volkswagen Transmission (Shanghai) and Volkswagen-FAW Platform Company are already certified by this management standard, the other companies are in the process of being certified.