BERLIN (Reuters) -Volkswagen Group’s gross sales of battery-electric automobiles greater than doubled in Europe within the first quarter however fell by over a 3rd in China, knowledge confirmed on Wednesday, in an indication of the automaker’s diverging fortunes within the electrical automotive market.
In a reversal of fortunes for Volkswagen and EV maker Tesla, Volkswagen automobiles made up seven of the ten bestselling fashions in Germany within the quarter, in keeping with knowledge from the KBA motor authority, whereas Tesla’s Mannequin Y dropped to seventh within the rankings from first after gross sales fell almost 70%.
Tesla’s market share has shrunk at the same time as the remainder of the EV market picks up, as controversy over CEO Elon Musk’s help for far-right politicians and an ageing mannequin line-up has stymied gross sales.
Volkswagen’s whole gross sales fell 7.1% in China, the place the EV market – which makes up half of gross sales – stays fiercely aggressive, as new EV-only entrants swipe market share from international producers.
German rivals Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have additionally reported a hunch in China gross sales.
Volkswagen mentioned it anticipated gross sales of its battery-electric automobiles to choose up within the coming months because it launches new variations of key fashions such because the ID.3 and ID.4X.
On the Shanghai Auto Present in April, the carmaker will premiere the primary collection manufacturing mannequin of a brand new Audi model to be launched this yr, and showcase three VW electrical fashions popping out in 2026, one by every of its joint ventures with FAW, SAIC, and JAC.
The SAIC mannequin, an electrical SUV, will function a so-called vary extender, a small combustion engine that may cost an EV battery, easing the concerns of potential prospects hesitant concerning the battery’s vary.
In Europe, orders for Volkswagen automobiles, each electrical and combustion engine, rose 29% in Western Europe in comparison with final yr.
Battery-electric automobile gross sales on the continent have risen considerably up to now this yr at the same time as whole automotive gross sales have fallen, knowledge from the European Vehicle Producers’ Affiliation has proven, as new EU emissions targets and the launch of recent fashions drive demand after years of gradual progress.
Gross sales within the U.S. rose 6.2%, in a attainable signal of consumers front-loading purchases forward of the implementation of 25% tariffs on automotive imports.
Round two-thirds of the VW model’s gross sales are automobiles made in Mexico, and all of the group’s Porsche, Audi, and Lamborghini automobiles are imported from Europe, leaving it extremely uncovered to the unfolding commerce struggle.
(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Amir Orusov. Modifying by Matthias Williams, Louise Heavens and Mark Potter)
