FRANKFURT, Germany — German automaker Volkswagen stated its world gross sales fell 15.2% throughout 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic however confirmed important restoration towards the top of the 12 months. The corporate greater than tripled its gross sales of battery-only autos.
International gross sales for all of Volkswagen’s manufacturers amounted to 9.3 million autos. The fourth quarter confirmed a smaller decline of 5.7% and inside that quarter the month of December was nonetheless additional improved, displaying a shortfall of solely 3.2% from the identical interval the 12 months earlier than.
Volkswagen stated Wednesday that gross sales fell probably the most in Western Europe, by 21.6%, whereas China, the corporate’s largest single market, was down 9.1%
Gross sales of battery-only automobiles jumped 214% to 231,600 from 73,700 throughout all the corporate’s manufacturers. The corporate’s electrical gross sales leaders included the Volkswagen ID.3 compact, with 56,500, the Audi E-Tron SUV with 47,300, and the high-end Porsche Taycan with 20,000.
Volkswagen stated that its gross sales fell by lower than the general market, which means it had barely expanded its market share. “The COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 a particularly difficult 12 months,” stated group gross sales chief Christian Dahlheim. “The Volkswagen Group carried out effectively on this atmosphere and strengthened its market place.”
Volkswagen Group’s manufacturers embrace Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, SEAT, and Skoda as promote as truck makers MAN and Scania.
