Volkswagen Sales Slide 5.3% Globally in October After Emissions Scandal
Volkswagen's global passenger car deliveries fell by 5.3 percent in October 2015, the first full month after the diesel emissions scandal broke, with sharp declines in key markets outside China.
Volkswagen reported a 5.3 percent drop in global passenger car sales for October 2015, the first full month after its diesel emissions cheating was exposed. The company delivered 490,000 vehicles worldwide, down from 517,400 in October 2014.
The decline followed the September 2015 revelations that Volkswagen had installed software to cheat emissions tests in millions of diesel vehicles. The impact was felt unevenly across markets, with the sharpest falls in Brazil, where sales halved to 23,800 units, and Russia, which saw a 25.7 percent drop. Deliveries in Western Europe were down 1.3 percent as temporary sales stops for affected diesel models took effect.
China, Volkswagen's largest single market, proved more resilient. Sales there rose 1.8 percent in October, with 233,500 vehicles delivered. This growth helped offset declines elsewhere, but could not prevent the global slide. Across the first ten months of 2015, Volkswagen's passenger car sales dropped 4.7 percent to 4.84 million vehicles.
Group performance and wider context
The wider Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi, Skoda, and SEAT, also saw sales fall 3.5 percent in October to 831,300 vehicles. Group deliveries for January to October 2015 slipped 1.7 percent to 8.26 million units. The sales setback came as the company faced regulatory investigations and customer uncertainty in multiple regions. For more on the broader impact, seeVolkswagen global sales hit as emissions scandal bites
Volkswagen management acknowledged the challenging environment, citing not only the diesel and CO2 issues but also difficult conditions in several world markets. The company faced additional scrutiny and potential sales bans in some countries, such as South Korea, as well as legal action from dealers and insurers.
Regional breakdown: steepest losses outside China
- Brazil: Sales down from 47,300 to 23,800 units, a 50% decline.
- Russia: Deliveries fell by 25.7%.
- Western Europe: Down 1.3%.
- China: Up 1.8% to 233,500 units.
While the October figures confirmed the immediate commercial impact of the emissions scandal, the longer-term consequences for Volkswagen's global reputation and market share remained uncertain at the time. The company continued to face regulatory investigations and pressure to address affected vehicles, including recalls in Europe and legal action in the United States. For further details on regulatory fallout, seeVolkswagen to Recall 8.5 Million Diesel Cars Across Europe After Emissions Scandal
