Volkswagen brand announces record deliveries for 2006

Wolfsburg (ots) - January 7, 2007 - The Volkswagen Passenger Cars
brand sold more vehicles last year than ever before in the history of
the company. A total of 3.395 million vehicles were delivered to
customers worldwide in 2006, representing a 10.0 percent increase on
the previous year. "Growth was noticeably stronger for the Volkswagen
brand than for the world market in 2006. Key markets recorded quite
significant growth in some cases. With these record figures,
Volkswagen has strengthened its position as one of world's largest
automakers," Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, chairman of the Volkswagen brand
board of management, commented in Wolfsburg.

He added that growth had been particularly strong for Volkswagen
in Germany and Europe. "Although Germany remains a hard-fought market
characterized by high discounts from competitors, we have
nevertheless seen a noticeable rise in sales and have increased our
market share from 18.6 to 19.9 percent." He emphasized that
Volkswagen had not bought its way to growth. "We have combined our
attractive models with product offerings from Volkswagen Bank and
Volkswagen Service which bring genuine added value. These packages
have convinced our customers." He said Volkswagen would be continuing
with this approach this year. "We focus on customer benefit, not on
discounts." As a result of the market strategy in Germany, Volkswagen
models took pole position in six vehicle registration segments, in
some cases with a significant lead.

Developments in Western Europe were also very positive. "We have
not only defended our market leadership in Europe, but have further
extended our lead," Bernhard commented. In 2006, Volkswagen delivered
1.525 million vehicles in Western Europe (including Germany), 5.6
percent more than in 2005. The market share rose from 10.3 to 11.0
percent. Developments in Eastern Europe were also positive for
Volkswagen. Growth in deliveries to customers was particularly strong
in Russia, where 19,200 Volkswagen brand vehicles were sold, 59.6
percent up on the figure for 2005.

In China (including Hong Kong), Volkswagen remained the favorite
passenger car brand, selling 625,000 vehicles, a year-on-year
increase of 22.3 percent. "We made the turnaround in China in 2006",
Bernhard said. In the Asia/Pacific region (excluding China),
deliveries rose by 11.5 percent to 88,000 units.

On the US market, which remains fiercely competitive, Volkswagen
increased deliveries to customers by 4.9 percent to 235,000 vehicles.

2006 sales in South America and South Africa were also
significantly higher that the previous year. 571,000 vehicles were
delivered, representing a year-on-year increase of 15.0 percent. In
Brazil in particular, Volkswagen recorded a strong 15.2 percent
increase, with sales rising to 373,000 units.

For 2007, Dr. Michael Kern, the Volkswagen brand board member for
sales and marketing, does not expect any noticeable easing of the
competitive situation on the major automobile markets: "Stagnation or
only slight growth can be expected for both Germany and Western
Europe. It also looks as if the discount battles in the USA are set
to continue." He added that Volkswagen was, however, assuming
continued strong growth on the Chinese market. "We will be doing our
utmost to benefit as extensively as possible from this trend."
Dynamic development in Russia would also continue. He added that
Volkswagen expected additional positive momentum when production at
the new plant in Kaluga starts in the second half of the year.
Volkswagen would also begin selling locally-built vehicles in India
as early as mid-2007 and anticipated proactive involvement in dynamic
market development there, too.

Bernhard emphasized that Volkswagen would be further enhancing
quality, customer satisfaction and service orientation in 2007. "We
already made significant progress in customer satisfaction last year
with improved vehicle quality and innovative service concepts, and
will be continuing along this path with uncompromising
determination."

This press release and photos are available from our press
database at: www.volkswagen-media-services.com

Originaltext: VW Volkswagen AG
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Pressekontakt:
Volkswagen Group Communications
Jürgen Kornmann
Spokesperson Sales and Marketing
Phone: +49 (0) 53 61 / 94 17 26
Fax: +49 (0) 53 61 / 95 74 17 26
E-mail: juergen.kornmann@volkswagen.de


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