Volkswagen maintains four year sales record
8 Jan, 2009
18 Comments 
Volkswagen Group Australia has achieved a new record selling 29,875 vehicles in a calendar year, making 2008 its fourth straight year of growth.
The brand also maintained its position as the 10th highest selling brand in Australia for the year, growing at nine per cent in 2008, the highest growth of any of the top 10 brands.
Volkswagen also managed to increase its market share from 2.6 to 3.0 per cent.
Some models stood out for performing far better than others making significant increases over the prior year’s sales with Touareg up 43.7 per cent, Polo up 36.5 per cent, Eos 29 (pictured below) and Passat (pictured above) 7.7. The Golf continues to be Volkswagen’s best selling model with 11,632 delivered last year, an increase of 5.9 per cent.
In the commercial vehicle range, the Volkswagen Caddy Van increased sales on the back of the new Caddy Maxi variant by 27.4 per cent.
Volkswagen Group Australia’s Managing Director, Jutta Dierks, said 2008 was a challenging year but the Volkswagen brand continued to perform strongly and we are well positioned this year.
“As we move into 2009 we look forward to an increase in supply of Tiguan, which nicely matches the arrival of the recently launched petrol variants. We also have the Passat CC and a new Golf arriving in the next few months which will give us a solid base to work from this year. Despite a challenging end to 2008, our strong dealer network, very successful diesel strategy and careful management of vehicle stock has Volkswagen well positioned for the year ahead,” said Ms Dierks.
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January 8th, 2009 at 11:21 am
“careful management of vehicle stock”
Unfortunately this also means no Scirocco for Australia which is a shame.
Audi managed a very high growth with so many models it can be confusing, perhaps there is a lesson in that for Jutta.
Rather than not bringing the Scirocco because it might reduce GTI sales, take the Audi approach and bring it – it might actually increase overall sales.
In any case, a good result for the year.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I dont know if i should be happy or sad about the fact that the euro car manufacturers are doing so well dispite the economic crysis.
It seems like the euro car makers are all doing fantasticly in relation to the other large car makers (the US and us and to a lesser extent some of the japs) Of course i should be happy about this because this is great for the enviroment and im sure a lot of fun can be had in the small buzz boxes (and small oil burners(diesil) , though im sure they dont burn a lot of oil like their predecessors)
But where is the LOVE???
Whats wrong with an XR6T, its got the lot, economy, space, price, and POWER (STACKS in that category). Why is everyone moving to the euros? Is it more of an appearance thing than a practical reasoning? Is it because people want to LOOK green? or are more Australians wanting to be seen as more special? Are australian cars too boring now?
I know from personal experience, there is nothing boring about driving a new XR6T, and IMO they look GREAT… so what is it?
Im at a loss…
Travis
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Audi’s model list might be confusing… but their colour list isnt… white black or silver… you actually get to choose!!! :P
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am
So you’re saying that the “one car fits all” strategy is right, as long as it’s the XR6T.
Clearly the rest of the buying public is not “at a loss” and sees the VW and Audi cars as more desirable.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I would love to see the Scirocco come to Australia. It could possibly replace the Jetta – which is nothing more than a golf with a boot].
The Scirocco has sportier looks and better performance and handling features etc not only that but how many Jettas have you seen on the roads lately?
Or they could set up a Factory backed Performance Division in Australia similar to STi which sold a range of cars for those customers who wanted something with a bit more individuality.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Im not saying that “one car fits all”, i only use the XR6T as an example because its a locally built car, that is great, and i own one.
For the same price you cant get an equivilant Audi or VW. (and i actually have a ute, so nothing of theirs comes close) I know build quality may not be of the same standard, but it isnt $25000 (conservitavely for a SIMILAR size/spec car) worth of build quality difference.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 11:59 am
In regards to the Scirocco, VW Aus should follow VW NZ’s approach and pitch the car below the gti so that we can get it here at least. NZ is getting the 1.4 Scirocco in April and it will be priced around $10k less than the gti. So with the smaller engine and lower price it is unlikely that the Scirocco will take many gti sales. If enyone is desperate for one, just import one from NZ, only going to cost the equivalent of AUD33k or so over there.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
XA-MONT, following all the glowing press reports, I actually seriously considered buying a Falcon G6 this year, and test drove it. Instead, bought a VW Tiguan. Why? While the Falcon had heaps of power, it was a less satisfying driving experience overall: steering did not gel well with suspension, ride was sharp, cloth interior not special. While the engine is great, the whole was less than the sum of its parts. But, I do respect your choice, going for what you like.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
T39, thats exactly what i was after, a reason why people decide on the euro over the aussie car.
I agree that the ride is not beautiful (less so in the ute due to the suspension being focused at load carrying)
I cant comment on the steering vs. the euros because i didnt test drive any euros.
And i wont arguew with you on the cloth interior… thats why i got leather :P
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Might I just add that it’s not just the build quality but it’s also the design and choice of materials.
Hiring a current model Fairlane Ghia I counted some crazy number (around the 10 mark) of different materials used to make the door trim.
Also travelling at high speeds wind noise was very noticeable from what appeared to be the exterior mirrors and largeish gaps between the cars panel works. It was otherwise a well insulated ride.
I however was very impressed with the way it drove with an excellent auto box (I believe it’s the same ZF box stolen from the E60/1 5 Series?) and a truly superb suspension setup. I definately was very impressed with the suspension setup having experienced stuff from Lexus, BMW and Merc (S-Class might I add).
I guess Aussie cars (suspension) really are built for Aussie roads.
This all plays a big part when you’re deciding where to put down your hard earned cash on a car you may very well keep for many years, so it has to be easy to live with and rattles, whistling wind and too many materials can (leave a bad first impression when carting friends around and) really get on your nerves after a while.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
IMO the use of many varying materials is part of the built quality catagory.
IRC my FG has 3 materials (apart from little bits of bling and whatnot) on the door trims, the soft plastic at the top the leather in the middle and the hard plastic at the bottom.
how many materials do the euros have? Another question to be posed here is, do the interiors suit the aussie climate? personally i have no idea if it would be a problem or not, jsut something to consider.
And the box is a ZF box from the jags i believe.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
“…but how many Jettas have you seen on the roads lately?”
Not hundreds, but I see at least a couple every time I’m on the road now. Depends where you’re looking I guess…this is around Sydney’s inner west and eastern suburbs mostly. Hardly surprising giving Volkswagen’s target markets.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Over 10,000 Jettas have been sold in Australia since it was introduced in 2006. That’s pretty impressive. The previous model (Bora) only managed a little over 5,000 in it’s entire lifespan.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
XA-MONT’s ponderings justify a response. Mine could be of interest, seeing that I was tossing up between a second hand low km Falcon XR6 (any colour) and a new VW Golf Tdi way back in late 2005, early 2006.
The born and bred Aussie in me said, “get an XR6 in metallic orange or purple, YEEEEEEEAH!!!!” and, even now, seeing a near new VE SS in metallic Morpheous still cracks a smile. They’re great cars made for our country.
In the end, I realised I couldn’t get into a BF Falcon without crouching and I couldn’t get comfortable without doing unmentionable things to its wheel and seat settings. At 6′2″, I had to find a way of seeing under the Falcon’s curved windscreen header rail where it met the A pillar, you see.
The Golf’s a great car made for the whole world and is without doubt the most useful and excellent car I’ve ever owned. It’s the right size for me and choosing diesel in late 2005 to early 2006 seemed to be a future-proof decision, which was partly right, and may well be in the near future. Even if it’s not, I still love the diesel’s drive characteristics.
My next choice will once again be between Falcon, Commodore with intelligent VF drivetrain upgrades and Golf Mk6. Maybe Pug 308, too. Golf could win. Curious combatants, same as before.
Does that answer your question as to how people think?
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
VW make a very good car for reasonable money; it is a winning formula in any market.
XA-Mont: the Aust built Fords just don’t cut it on spec, price or quality. I wouldn’t swap my R36 for any of Ford Australia’s current products.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
BJ, you’ll have to be a bit more specific about what the R36 is, our one-eyed Ford fan wouldn’t know what it is.
I have a close friend that is a one-eyed Ford person (He thought the AU was a styling masterpiece, true!!!), and on occasion I have had to try and get into the back seat of his various Falcons from AU to BA.
I still can’t get into the back without difficulty because the damn door is so small, and I’m only 185cm and 80kgs, so I’m not a blob. Yet I have no trouble climbing into the back of my Golf, even though I’m rarely in the back, but my family are all the same height as me and hence don’t complain when they have to ride in the GTI.
There’s another everyday reason why Falcon is a poor choice. The Commodores are MUCH easier to get into the back seat.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Reckless,
I hear you; I am also 185 cm / 75 kgs. I recently traveled in the back of relatively new Falcon (only for a short distance thankfully) and it wasn’t easy. Yet I can get into and out of the back of the R36 no problems at all.
Vote:January 8th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I bought a veedub because they made the type of car i wanted (small, fun to drive: polo gti). If holden sold the corsa VXR I might have considered that (xr4 wasn’t out yet when I was shopping). I think VW does their research carefully and caters to the Aussie market quite well.
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