VW group sales rise 18%, outpace market
Volkswagen AG's group sales in China and Hong Kong rose nearly 18 percent year-on-year to 290,000 units in July as the automaker continued to outperform the market.
For the first seven months, the German automaker's group sales in China -- which include the VW brand, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Lamborghini and Bentley -- increased 19 percent to 1.79 million units.
VW group sales data indicates the automaker remains in a virtual tie with General Motors for the sales lead in China. In the first seven months, sales of GM's joint ventures in China totaled 1,788,972 vehicles, up 11 percent.
Both companies are investing aggressively to boost production. VW will get a lift in its race with GM when its new assembly plant in Foshan of south China's Guangdong province starts production in September.
The first model to be built there will be the VW Golf, according to Chinese media. Late this year, the plant will start producing the Audi A3 towards the end of this year.
The Foshan plant is Volkswagen's first production facility in south China. It is owned by FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Volkswagen's joint venture with China FAW Group Corp.
VW group sales data indicates the automaker remains in a virtual tie with General Motors for the sales lead in China. In the first seven months, sales of GM's joint ventures in China totaled 1,788,972 vehicles, up 11 percent.
Both companies are investing aggressively to boost production. VW will get a lift in its race with GM when its new assembly plant in Foshan of south China's Guangdong province starts production in September.
The first model to be built there will be the VW Golf, according to Chinese media. Late this year, the plant will start producing the Audi A3 towards the end of this year.
The Foshan plant is Volkswagen's first production facility in south China. It is owned by FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Volkswagen's joint venture with China FAW Group Corp.
