The Volkswagen Group has experienced a significant boost in its delivery of all-electric vehicles during the first half of 2023, with a 48% increase compared to the previous year. The total number of electric vehicles delivered reached 321,600 units, marking a notable rise from the 217,200 units delivered in the same period last year.
This surge in deliveries has also led to an increase in the share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as a proportion of total deliveries. The BEV share rose to 7.4%, up from 5.6% in the first six months of the previous year.
The 48% increase holds particular significance when comparing deliveries across continents. In Europe, the VW Group achieved an impressive 68% increase, delivering 217,100 electric cars (compared to 128,900 in H1 2022), surpassing the global comparison. In the United States, the increase was even higher at 76%, with 29,800 electric vehicles delivered. However, China experienced a slight decline, delivering 62,400 BEVs, a decrease of only 2% compared to the previous year. Volkswagen remains optimistic about the Chinese market, noting a recent positive trend in that region.
Looking at quarterly performance, the second quarter outperformed the first quarter, with 180,600 deliveries compared to 141,000. Europe stood as the primary e-market for VW on a quarterly basis, with 118,900 units, followed by China (41,000), the USA (14,000), and the rest of the world (6,700).
Analyzing the distribution of deliveries by brand, Volkswagen Passenger Cars led the way with 164,800 vehicles delivered by the end of June, accounting for slightly over half of all BEVs in the Group. Audi followed closely with 75,600 vehicles (24% group share), while Skoda delivered 31,300 vehicles (10% group share). Seat/Cupra delivered 18,900 vehicles (6% group share), Porsche delivered 18,000 vehicles (6% group share), and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 12,300 vehicles (4% group share). Notably, Cupra overtook Porsche for the first time.
Among the various models, two Volkswagen brand series, the ID.4/ID.5 duo, claimed the top spots with 101,200 units, followed by the ID.3 with 49,800 vehicles in the first half of the year. Approximately 28,000 ID.3s were registered in Europe. The MEB SUV Audi Q4 e-tron (including the Sportback variant) secured third place within the group, ahead of the Skoda Enyaq (including the Enyaq Coupe) with 48,000 and 31,300 vehicles respectively. The Audi Q8 e-tron (including the Sportback) completed the top five with 19,500 vehicles. Volkswagen did not provide details on other models.
Hildegard Wortmann, member of the Extended Group Management Board for Sales, expressed the Group’s commitment to its transformation, stating, “With an increase in all-electric deliveries of around 50% in the first half of the year, the Volkswagen Group is systematically continuing its transformation. We are the market leader in Europe in this segment and have gained market share.”
However, recent reports indicate that the Volkswagen brand is facing a significant challenge with incoming orders. It is revealed that most of the vehicles delivered in the first half of the year were already ordered in 2022. Insiders suggest that incoming orders for certain electric series vehicles have declined to almost zero.
While the group’s press release mentions a “good” order bank of around 200,000 BEVs in Western Europe, this number represents a decline from the previous report, which stated “more than 260,000 BEVs” in Q1. Wortmann acknowledges the dip in orders without specifying figures. She attributes the initial reluctance from customers at the beginning of the year to reduced subsidy programs, lengthy waiting times, and high inflation. However, Wortmann remains optimistic, expecting the positive trend in incoming orders to continue in the coming months, particularly due to significant reductions in delivery times.
