Volkswagen sells fewer cars again – Audi and VW weak, Skoda stable

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Europe's largest automaker sold fewer cars again in the third quarter. China remains the biggest drag on the group, the core VW brand is struggling, and subsidiary Audi is also slipping by double digits. So far, only Skoda is holding steady – an end to the downward slide is not in sight based on the available reports.

Two reports, one picture

Both Manager Magazin and Handelsblatt paint a similar picture: Volkswagen is presenting its sales figures for the third quarter – and they are again worse than the previous year. Manager Magazin puts it bluntly:

When it comes to sales, the Volkswagen Group has apparently not yet hit bottom.

Handelsblatt gets to the point: VW is increasingly selling fewer cars.

China remains the main reason

Both sources name the same main reason for the sales pain: China. Handelsblatt writes that the group has to accept significant declines there. Manager Magazin calls China the weakest market – again. China has been one of Volkswagen's most important sales markets for years, so a slump there weighs especially heavy.

Audi drops by double digits – Skoda holds the line

While the core VW brand and the premium subsidiary Audi are both running weak, one brand appears to be weathering the decline better: Skoda. According to Manager Magazin, the Czech subsidiary is holding stable. The situation at Audi, by contrast, is significantly worse.

At subsidiary Audi, sales in the third quarter also fell by double digits.

Whether this is a one-time setback or a structural problem, the available reports leave open.

What this means for you

If you currently drive a VW, Audi, or Skoda – or are looking to buy one – the quarterly figures don't change anything for you directly just yet. But the development gets interesting for everyone eyeing a new car: if the pressure on the group continues to grow, it could eventually show up in higher discounts, better leasing terms, or cheaper prices on the used-car market. It's worth keeping an eye on – not just as a shareholder, but also as a potential buyer.