Volkswagen Group reported global deliveries of 2.05 million vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 4% decline compared to the same period last year, as the global automotive market faced economic and geopolitical headwinds.
Despite the drop in overall volumes, the Group managed to maintain a stable global market share, supported by growth in key European and South American markets. According to Marco Schubert, Member of the Extended Executive Committee for Sales, the quarter was shaped by “challenging economic and geopolitical conditions,” but positive momentum is expected from upcoming electric models in Europe and China.
Regional performance showed mixed trends. Europe emerged as a bright spot, with deliveries rising 4.7% to 983,800 vehicles. Growth was recorded in both Western Europe (+4.2%) and Central and Eastern Europe (+7.6%), with Germany also posting a 4.8% increase. South America saw a 7% rise to 147,900 units, driven largely by strong demand in Brazil.
However, declines in major markets weighed on overall performance. North America deliveries fell 13.3% to 205,500 units, impacted by regulatory changes and tariff pressures in the United States. In Asia-Pacific, deliveries dropped 14.1% to 618,900 vehicles, with China—the Group’s largest market—down 14.8% amid a broader market slowdown.
The Group delivered approximately 200,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) globally in Q1, down 8% year-on-year. While BEV demand remained strong in Europe, where deliveries grew 11.5% and the company retained its leadership position, volumes declined sharply in China (-63.8%) and the U.S. (-80.1%), largely due to the expiration of government subsidies and increased tariffs.
Among electric models, the Škoda Elroq led global BEV sales with 29,700 units, followed by the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 twins at 25,000 units, and the Škoda Enyaq with 22,100 units. Other notable performers included the Volkswagen ID.3 and Audi Q4 e-tron.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) showed strong growth, with global deliveries rising approximately 31% to 109,000 units, reflecting increasing consumer demand for extended-range electrified options.
Brand-wise, Škoda stood out with a 14% increase in total deliveries, while Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also recorded a 10.1% rise. In contrast, premium brands such as Audi and Porsche saw declines of 6.1% and 14.7%, respectively.
Looking ahead, Volkswagen Group expects renewed growth driven by its expanding EV portfolio, including the upcoming Electric Urban Car Family in Europe and locally developed electric models tailored for the Chinese market.
