Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group delivered 947,600 vehicles to customers in September, an increase of 7.1% compared with the previous year; Chin accounted for 40.3% of those September 2016 deliveries.

7.6 million vehicles were handed over to customers worldwide from January to September, representing a rise of 2.4%, even as the Group worked its way through the fallout from the diesel emissions scandal that broke cover in September 2015. China’s share of that 7.6 million was 37.5%.

All passenger car brands recorded a positive delivery performance for the period to September. While the situation in Brazil in particular remained tense, there was significant growth on the Chinese market. There was also positive development in demand from customers in Europe. The increased deliveries make us optimistic we will be able to master the upcoming challenges. Reinforcing our customers’ trust in our products remains our top priority.

—Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales

The Volkswagen Group delivered 3.18 million vehicles (+3.5%) in Europe in the first nine months. 398,700 new vehicles were handed over to customers in September, an increase of 6.3% compared with the previous year, of which 343,000 (+6.1%) were delivered in Western Europe. Momentum was particularly strong in Spain, Italy and France. There was solid development in deliveries on the home market of Germany as well (+3.9%). The Group also recorded growth of 7.9% in Central and Eastern Europe in September. The positive delivery performance in Poland and the Czech Republic in particular offset the slight decline in Russia (-2.5%).

Volkswagen Group deliveries in the North America region rose to 75,700 units in September, a slight increase of 1.3%. While customer demand for Group products was particularly strong in Mexico and Canada during this period, deliveries in the USA declined (-3.2%). The South American market remained difficult in September. The Group delivered 320,000 vehicles in that region during the first nine months, 27.2% down on the previous year.

3.11 million vehicles (+8.1%) were delivered in the Asia-Pacific region in the first nine months, including the 2.85 million in China. Deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region in September increased by 16.4% compared with the previous year to 411,700 units.

Volkswagen brand. The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand is the largest of the Group; its Jan-Sep 2016 sales represent 57.5% of total group sales.

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 547,700 vehicles worldwide in September, 6.7% more than the previous year. A total of 4,374,900 vehicles were handed over to customers from January to September. As a result, cumulative deliveries by the Volkswagen brand exceeded the previous year's level for the first time this year (+0.6%).

Thanks to the strong performance in China, deliveries by Volkswagen in September were noticeably higher than the previous year. Consequently, our deliveries for the period from January to September exceeded the 2015 level.

—Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales

Volkswagen recorded a 1.6% increase in deliveries in the overall European market in September compared with the previous year, handing over 160,400 vehicles. The majority of these vehicles, 141,000 units, were delivered in Western Europe (+0.4%). 48,300 vehicles were handed over to customers in the home market of Germany, a slight decrease of 1.5%. Volkswagen continued on its successful path in Central and Eastern Europe, where deliveries rose by 10.4% to 19,400 units. 7,000 vehicles were delivered in Russia, 2.9% up on the previous year.

Deliveries in the North America region in September totaled 45,600 units, almost matching the level of the previous year (-0.7%). In the USA, the decline slowed further compared with the previous year to -7.8% (24,100 vehicles). This year’s upward trend in Mexico continued in September, with Volkswagen handing over 16,500 vehicles, representing an appreciable 12.4% increase compared with the previous year.

The situation in the South America region remained challenged. 20,500 vehicles were handed over to customers there in September, amounting to a substantial decline of 47.2% compared with the previous year. This negative trend has its origin in Brazil, the region’s largest market.

In contrast, the Asia-Pacific region continued to develop well in September. 303,700 vehicles were delivered to customers there, a sizeable increase of 19.8% compared with the previous year.

The market in China was the main driver of the growth in worldwide deliveries. Volkswagen continued its successful course in that country, delivering 288,800 vehicles in September—a 22.8% increase compared with 2015. 2,133,100 Volkswagen brand vehicles were handed over to customers from January to September. That is a new record and represents an increase of 11.4%, or 219,100 units, compared with the previous year.