Despite the tough environment, the Volkswagen Group outperformed the market in 2012, growing in almost all key regions. Deliveries climbed 12.2 per cent to 9.3 million vehicles. This saw the Group’s global share of the passenger car market rise to 12.8 per cent (12.3 per cent).
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 5.7 million vehicles to customers, an increase of 12.7 per cent compared with the previous year. The brand’s operating profit amounted to €3.6 billion (€3.8 billion), down 4.1 per cent year-on-year. This was due in part to upfront expenditures for the Modular Transverse Toolkit and startup costs for the new Golf.
2012 was another record year for the Audi brand, which delivered 1.5 million (1.3 million) vehicles. Operating profit rose slightly by 0.6 per cent to €5.4 billion (€5.3 billion) and the brand’s operating return on sales was 11.0 per cent (12.1 per cent).
Skoda’s sales increased by 6.8 per cent to 939,000 (879,000) vehicles. At €712 million (€743 million), operating profit was down slightly on the prior-year figure due to market factors.
Deliveries by the Seat brand declined by 8.3 per cent in 2012 to 321,000 (350,000) cars. The operating loss was cut by €69 million to €156 million.
Bentley delivered 8,510 (7,003) vehicles, 21.5 per cent more than in 2011. Its operating profit climbed to €100 million (€8 million).
Sports car manufacturer Porsche sold 60,000 vehicles and generated an operating profit of €946 million in the five months of its full consolidation in the Volkswagen Group (from August 1, 2012).
