- Volkswagen Group gross sales fell 8.6 % total within the second quarter of the 12 months and are down 6.3 % for the 12 months.
- Gross sales cratered in China, offsetting constructive leads to North America and Europe.
- Volkswagen Group plans to chop its portfolio in half to stay aggressive.
Issues are wanting dire for Volkswagen Group as soon as once more. Gross sales for the German automotive conglomerate fell 8.6 % total within the second quarter of the 12 months, pushed down by the corporate’s abysmal efficiency in China.
VW Group gross sales within the Asian nation fell a whopping 36.6 % from April to June, and so they have been down 25.9 % for the 12 months. The automaker additionally struggled within the Center East, Africa, and the remainder of the Asia-Pacific market. Marcos Schubert, member of VW Group’s prolonged govt committee for gross sales, stated:
‘The scenario in China stays difficult, the place we have been unable to flee a big whole market decline of round 20 % – regardless of preliminary constructive momentum from our newly launched, regionally developed electrical autos. Globally, we’re seeing a decline in deliveries of round six %.’
The drastic decline in gross sales in these areas couldn’t offset the positives elsewhere. VW Group gross sales have been up 9.4 % in Latin America over the past three months—and are up 8.3 % for the 12 months.
Gross sales are additionally up all through Europe, with the automaker seeing vital positive aspects in Central and Japanese Europe. They’re up 6.7 % for the second quarter and seven.2 % for the 12 months. Western Europe was extra tepid, rising by 1.8 % over the quarter. They’re up 2.9 % by means of the primary half.
How Is VW Group Doing In North America?
Volkswagen Group gross sales are on an upswing in North America after a gradual begin to the 12 months, rising 7.7 % final quarter. Regardless of that, gross sales within the area are nonetheless down 3.1 % for the 12 months. The automaker blamed a “difficult setting” stemming from “the tariff scenario” and regulatory modifications.
The mainstream Volkswagen model had a powerful quarter in america, with gross sales rising a surprising 24.9 %. The German model offered practically 90,000 automobiles in simply three months, led by the Tiguan, up 152.5 %.
Gross sales for the Jetta, Golf GTI, and Golf R all elevated by 9.7 %, 17.2 %, and 12.5 %, respectively. Volkswagen offered 162,961 automobiles within the first six months of 2026, about 3,000 extra throughout the identical interval in 2025. Even gross sales for the ID. Buzz have been up 121.5 %—from 564 to1,249.
Shockingly, Porsche gross sales proceed to fall. The automaker offered about 3,000 fewer automobiles within the second quarter. Almost each mannequin was down apart from the 911, which is up 39.4 % within the second quarter and up 56.3 %.
Audi of America additionally struggled. Gross sales dipped 3.0 % from April to June. The A3, A5, A6, Q5, and Q8 noticed their gross sales enhance. For the 12 months, Audi gross sales are down 17.0 %.
What Comes Subsequent For Volkswagen Group?
Yesterday, the automaker introduced it could immediately begin downsizing its portfolio. The automaker plans to scale back its lineup by as much as 50 %. The fashions that survive could have as much as 75 % fewer obtainable choices.
The corporate plans to deal with “merchandise and applied sciences that ship the best added worth for purchasers and the best worth contribution to the Group.” It should additionally scale back its annual manufacturing capability to 9.0 million models. The Group invested within the early 2020s to spice up that to 12.0 million autos.
The drastic modifications won’t be sufficient to proper the ship. There are rumors that Volkswagen would possibly shut 4 vegetation whereas laying off 100,000 employees.
Motor1’s Take: Volkswagen Group’s struggling efficiency represents the general challenges going through the trade. New tariffs, altering laws, and competitors are making VW Group and different automakers refocus their sources on manufacturers and fashions that promote.
