According to figures provided by Autonews, Volkswagen sold a total of 112,466 vehicles in China last month compared with 103,204 units in March 2008. Furthermore, sales in the first quarter reached 284,143 cars, up 5.94 percent from a year ago. Overall, the company improved sales in China by 9 percent and expects even higher sales in this particular market.
"The development of the total passenger car market in the first quarter has exceeded our expectations," Volkswagen Group China CEO Winfried Vahland said.
Sales in China adopted an ascending trend since the beginning of the year, with some other automakers reporting increasing sales as well. A total of 772,400 passenger cars were sold in March, up 10.26 percent compared with the March 2008 figures.
General Motors, the American manufacturer who fights for survival in the United States, reported record sales too, with China remaining one of the most important markets for most of its brands.
“We are pleased with our sales growth in 2008, which occurred despite an overall market slowdown,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. “A series of natural disasters and an increase in fuel prices earlier in the year exacerbated the impact of the global economic downturn in China.”
“Over the next two to three years, we will roll out five or more new products under both of our volume brands, Buick and Chevrolet. These models are being engineered in China for the domestic market by our Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint venture,” said Wale. “Our four other brands (Cadillac, Opel, Saab and Wuling) will also bring out new and upgraded models to meet the rapidly changing needs of vehicle buyers nationwide.”
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