With a market share of 19.7 percent and 58,795 new vehicle registrations, the Volkswagen brand maintained its position as the undisputed leader on the German market in September. These figures correspond to a 4.2 percent rise compared with the same month in 2005. Some 496,000 new VW models were registered during the first nine months of 2006, 8 percent up on the comparable prior-year period. Volkswagen models sold best in most of the market segments covered by Germany’s Federal Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Drivers.

“Our market leadership demonstrates that customers have great confidence in our products”, Dr. Michael Kern, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand responsible for Sales and Marketing, commented. The Volkswagen brand also held the lead in Western Europe (including Germany) in September 2006, despite a slight 1.1 percent decline in sales compared with the previous month and delivered 141,000 vehicles to customers. Deliveries during the first nine months of 2006 totaled 1,141,500 units, representing a 6.6 percent increase on the comparable prior-year period.

A total of 303,000 VW passenger cars were delivered worldwide in September, 4 percent up on the same month in 2005 and the highest ever figure for September. Total vehicle deliveries of 2,517,000 for the period January to September 2006 represent an 11.5 percent rise compared with the previous year and also correspond to a new record for this period. Dr. Kern said: “We are delighted with these record figures. They are yet another motivation for us to realise further quality and price improvements under our product initiative.”

The Golf confirmed its special position as the most popular car in Germany: together with the Jetta, new registrations in Germany in September 2006 totaled 21,675, corresponding to a segment share of 28.4 percent, by far the highest figure both in the compact class and in a comparison of all models.

The Eos has demonstrated a remarkable development: since its market launch in May, the Volkswagen convertible coupe has topped the German convertible market for four months in succession with a 13.1 percent share of this segment. A further 1,292 Eos, the world’s first series vehicle with a five-section steel convertible, sliding and coupe roof, were registered in September.