The new Jetta enjoyed significant growth of 52 percent and was the most popular model in January, but could not offset the delivery decline for other models. SUVs accounted for a share of 46 percent. The difficult situation in Mexico persisted, with deliveries there down 12.7 percent compared with the same month last year. In South America, there was a slight decrease in deliveries. 37,000 vehicles were handed over to customers there, 1.6 percent down on the previous year. Brazil, the largest market in the region, recorded a significant increase of 10.8 percent to 26,400 vehicles. The overall market in Argentina was cut by almost half compared with the previous year as a result of the tense economic situation. In this difficult environment, the Volkswagen brand also saw deliveries fall, although the 26.8 percent decrease was less pronounced than the overall market downturn. In the Asia-Pacific region, Volkswagen handed over 299,100 vehicles to customers, 3.0 percent down on the same month last year. This decrease is mainly attributable to developments in China, where customers continued to show a reluctance to buy in an uncertain economic environment. In total, 287,900 customers took delivery of their new Volkswagen, 3.1 percent down on the previous year. The brand therefore continued to grow its share in an overall market that declined significantly more sharply. Volkswagen is benefiting from its up-to-date model portfolio with six SUV families.
Overview of deliveries by the Volkswagen brand in January: Deliveries to customers by market January 2018 January 2019 Change (%) Europe 135,300 131,300 -3.0% Western Europe 117,800 112,200 -4.8% Germany 43,300 39,300 -9.2% Central and Eastern Europe 17,500 19,100 +9.0% Russia 5,600 6,200 +10.9% North America 41,700 38,100 -8.6% USA 24,700 23,100 -6.7% South America 37,600 37,000 -1.6% Brazil 23,900 26,400 +10.8% Asia-Pacific 308,300 299,100 -3.0% China incl. HK 297,000 287,900 -3.1% Worldwide 533,400 515,500 -3.4%