Volkswagen Middle East announces 23% growth for Q1 2013

Volkswagen Middle East has announced a 23% increase in deliveries for Q1 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, with the month of March up 27% on last year in terms of growth. The region has seen its sedan models account for almost 50% of the region’s total deliveries in the first quarter, reinforcing Volkswagen’s sedan strategy, which indicates the need and preference of customers in the Middle East for high standards of safety and design and competitive pricing in the sector. 

The results from January to March of this year have also indicated a strong start for the new Volkswagen Passat sedan which arrived in the Middle East in 2012 and was awarded best mid-size sedan in the region by the Middle East Motor Awards last year. Also making a mark in the first quarter was the bestselling Volkswagen, Touareg, with a 45% growth. 

Growth across regional markets also increased with the GCC up 28% on 2012. Volkswagen vehicles were delivered to customers across 12 Middle East markets, with Kuwait and Lebanon leading the way with growth of 113% and 43% respectively. These countries were followed closely in performance by the UAE (30%), Bahrain (27%) and Jordan (24%). 

Thomas Milz, Managing Director, Volkswagen Middle East said: “So far 2013 has shown growth across our region as a whole, with the month of March demonstrating the strongest results to date. While we shall see positive effects from our attractive and full model range and strong market position, there will also be increasingly stiff competition in this challenging market.  

“Together with our regional partners, Volkswagen in the Middle East remains committed to offering our customers world class products and service excellence and to continue driving the brand forward with on-going investment in facilities, customer service and the launch of new models.” 

So far this year, Volkswagen Middle East has launched the eagerly anticipated seventh generation Volkswagen Golf along with the announcement that the stunning new Golf GTI will arrive in the region during Q3. The introduction of these vehicles is great news for the discerning Middle East customers, who have a long history with these iconic models. 

The stunning new Golf GTI will offer an even more striking and sportier design, as well as a 10HP increase in power; both attributes which have long been important in this market. 

Having just arrived in this region, the seventh generation Golf has been completely redesigned, including: the vehicle body, interior, engines, all of the information and entertainment systems, and the numerous new driver assistance systems. Each new Golf is also 100kg lighter which makes it possible to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by 23% making the vehicle a better choice for the environment and customers alike. 

Globally, the Volkswagen brand delivered 1.43million vehicles from January to March 2013 marking a 5.2% increase on 2012.