VW Group Chairman Winterkorn Predicts Company Will Beat 2018 Sales Goal

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Group Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn predicts that the company will be the first automaker in the world to sell 10 million cars in a year, and it will do it before its goal of 2018. The key to the future will be continuing to perform well in Asia and beating the downturn of the European auto market.

Winterkorn set the 10 million-car a year goal in 2007, when it was selling six million cars a year. It has already increased sales 50% compared to 2007.

Through May VW Group sales are at 3.87 million cars, a 6% increase over the previous year. With sales of 9.34 million cars in 2012, Volkswagen Group goes not need large sales growth to meet its goal. It only needs 7% growth compared to last year to meet its goal early.

The key to this growth has been the Asian region, especially China. Last year, sales in the region were up 23% to 3.17 million cars, while European sales were down 3% to 3 million cars. Asia is now responsible for 34% of VW Group sales, and Europe takes 33% of sales.

If things continue as they are, then Volkswagen Group may have to revise its plan and come up with a new one sooner.

"If we have to adjust our goals at one point or another, then we will do that," said Dr. Winterkorn.

Source: Automotive News Europe