VOLKSWAGEN VIVO TOPS MAY PASSENGER SALES

During May 2010 a total of 25 724 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa. Total new passenger car sales in May, including sales not reported in detail to NAAMSA, increased by 9.1 percent when compared to April 2010, and by 36.3 percent when compared to May 2009, bringing the year-to-date May market in 2010 to a level 28.3 percent above the same period for 2009.

“Volkswagen of South Africa continued to dominate the passenger car market with 22.6 percent share and total sales of 5 808 units. The new uniquely South African Polo Vivo was the number one selling passenger Brand in May with

sales of 2 546 units. We are very encouraged by the reaction from the market to our new entry level Polo Vivo,” said Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen of South Africa.

“Audi sold 1 024 cars in the premium segment, thereby securing 4% of the total passenger car market. This is an excellent result for the Audi brand in South Africa.”

“The rate of growth of the South African economy accelerated to 4.6 percent during the first quarter of 2010, up from the 3.2 percent achieved in the last quarter of 2009. Encouragingly, growth during the first quarter was relatively well spread across all sectors of the economy.”

“Looking ahead as the financial circumstances of households continue to improve during the course of the year, the demand side of the South African economy is likely to play an increasingly more prominent role in supporting rates of economic growth.”

“The new car sales cycle therefore appears set to continue growing through 2010, but possibly characterised by slower rates of growth during the second half of the year than what have been experienced so far in 2010.”

“We now look forward to welcoming the world to South Africa as we stage the world’s greatest sporting event. Volkswagen of South Africa wishes Bafana Bafana the best of luck for their Soccer World Cup 2010 campaign – all 6 000 VW employees are right behind you!” concluded Glendinning.

STORY BY VOLKSWAGEN