Volkswagen Group Deliveries Lowest in Over a Decade

BERLIN—The Volkswagen Group reported its lowest level of performance sales In 2022, it was more than a decade since the COVID-19 lockdowns of China and the war in Ukraine disrupted supply chains. A fourth-quarter recovery could face additional challenges.

The German group, which owns brands such as VWs and Skodas, to high-end Audis and Bentleys, announced Thursday that it had delivered 8.3 Million vehicles to customers last fiscal year.

That indicates it will remain in second place globally for the third year in a row behind Japan’s Toyota Group, which by November had already produced over 9.5 million cars.

The fourth quarter saw group sales rise 14.3 percent, but the outlook for 2023 is still clouded by weak economies, supply chain shortages and other factors, Hildegard Wortmann, a member of the extended executive sales committee, said.

Lamborghini, Bentley, and Audi fared better than Volkswagen Passenger Cars (VWPC) and Skoda in 2022, with deliveries dropping by approximately 4 percent for the premium brands, and 9 percent for the mass-market.

Group deliveries fell 7 percent versus 2021.

During the Los Angeles Auto Show press day, a Volkswagen logo was seen. It was on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles on November 17, 2022. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Mercedes-Benz and BMW, high-end carmakers, reported earlier this week a smaller drop in sales than their mass-market counterparts with falls of 4.8 % and 1% respectively.

The fourth quarter saw sales of BMW and Mercedes-Benz increase, despite China relaxing its COVID-19 policies and improving supply chains. Some companies warn that rising staff cases could hinder production.

The Volkswagen Group’s deliveries were up 12 percent in the second half of the year, but the full-year figure was dragged down by a drop of over a fifth in the first half.

Still, it maintained its position as Europe’s top battery-electric vehicle maker and saw a 26 percent rise in all-electric sales globally, boosted by an increase of almost two-thirds in China.

The group plans to make all-electric sales 11 percent of its total in 2023. This is a step toward the 2030 goal to make half of all sales completely electric.

By Victoria Waldersee

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