The Volkswagen Group delivered approximately 6.01 million vehicles worldwide in the first nine months of 2026, down 9% from 6.60 million in the same period last year. Despite the overall decline, demand for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) gained momentum in Europe, where deliveries increased during the third quarter and electric models accounted for around 40% of the Group’s order book.
The automaker delivered 678,700 all-electric vehicles globally through September, a 5.4% decrease from 717,700 a year earlier. However, European BEV deliveries increased by 12.1% to 586,100 units over the nine-month period, with third-quarter deliveries rising 19.6% year on year to 209,100 vehicles.
Martin Sander, member of the Volkswagen Group’s Extended Executive Committee for Sales, said:
“In a persistently challenging market environment, the Volkswagen Group kept its deliveries outside of China stable overall in the first nine months. We recorded growth in South America and Europe. In our home market, we are seeing a significantly accelerated trend towards all-electric vehicles. The main reasons for this are the currently high fuel prices and the wider range of entry-level models. This includes our Electric Urban Car Family, for which we received nearly 150,000 orders shortly after its launch. This is a tremendous success that underscores how these four vehicles have perfectly captured the spirit of the times. Overall, one in five of the models we’ve delivered in Europe is all-electric, and in our order book, that share is as high as around 40 percent. The sharp decline in the overall market in China remains an industry-wide challenge. At the same time, our new, locally developed electric models are beginning to make an impact. Compared to the same quarter last year, we delivered approximately 30 percent more electrified vehicles to our customers in China in Q3. Globally, our deliveries after three quarters are approximately nine percent below the same period last year.”
European Electric Vehicle Demand Strengthens
Europe remained the Volkswagen Group’s strongest region for BEV deliveries. The company handed over 586,100 electric vehicles across the region during the first three quarters, compared with 522,700 in the prior-year period.
Across all powertrains, deliveries in Europe increased by 1.7% to approximately 2.96 million vehicles. Western Europe grew by 1.1% to 2.53 million units, while Central and Eastern Europe recorded a 5.3% increase to 427,600 vehicles. Deliveries in Germany, the Group’s home market, rose by 0.9%.
The order book also reflected the stronger electric vehicle trend. Volkswagen reported that its European BEV order book had doubled compared with the end of 2025. BEV order intake increased by more than 60% in the third quarter compared with the same period last year.
The recently launched Electric Urban Car Family has contributed to the increase. The lineup includes the Volkswagen ID. Polo and ID. Cross, Škoda Epiq and CUPRA Raval, which had collectively attracted nearly 150,000 orders at the time of the announcement.
Across all powertrain types, European order intake increased by 4% during the first nine months. The overall order book grew by around 11% compared with the end of 2025, with BEVs accounting for approximately 40% of outstanding orders.
China and the United States Weigh on Global Deliveries
Declines in China and North America offset growth in Europe and South America. Volkswagen Group deliveries in China fell by 30.2% to 1.38 million vehicles during the first nine months of 2026, reflecting a significant contraction in the overall market, particularly for combustion-engine vehicles.
Chinese BEV deliveries also declined. The Group delivered 48,900 electric vehicles in the country through September, down 42.5% from 85,100 a year earlier. Nevertheless, deliveries of electrified vehicles in the third quarter increased by approximately 30% year on year, supported by demand for locally developed models, including plug-in hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles.
In North America, total Group deliveries fell by 4% to 680,200 vehicles. The United States recorded a 7.8% decline in deliveries across all powertrains, amid tariff pressures and regulatory changes.
The region experienced a much sharper contraction in BEV deliveries. Volkswagen Group electric vehicle deliveries in the US dropped 78.4% to 14,900 units in the first nine months, following the expiration of government subsidy programmes and continued pressure from import tariffs. Third-quarter US BEV deliveries fell 86.4% year on year to 5,100 vehicles.
South America provided a counterpoint to these declines. Deliveries in the region rose 4.3% to 502,500 vehicles, with Brazil recording growth of 12.3%.
Plug-in Hybrids and Range-Extender Models Gain Ground
Beyond fully electric vehicles, the Volkswagen Group reported increasing demand for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).
Global deliveries of these two categories reached 368,000 vehicles through September, approximately 23% above the previous year’s level. The company highlighted particularly strong demand for PHEV and EREV models in China.
The results indicate that electrified vehicle demand is developing differently across markets. While BEV growth accelerated in Europe, the Group continued to face a challenging environment in China and the United States.
Škoda Elroq Leads Volkswagen Group BEV Sales
The Škoda Elroq was the Group’s best-selling all-electric model during the first nine months of 2026, with 92,200 deliveries. It was followed by the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5, which together recorded 81,900 units, and the Škoda Enyaq family, including the Coupé, with 72,700 deliveries.
The Volkswagen ID.3 ranked fourth with 61,100 units, followed by the Audi Q6 e-tron SUV and Sportback at 50,400. The Volkswagen ID.7 range, including the Tourer, reached 47,500 deliveries, while the Audi Q4 e-tron family recorded 47,000.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz, including its Cargo version, delivered 42,000 units. CUPRA Born deliveries reached 29,000, while the Audi A6 e-tron family, including Avant and Sportback models, recorded 27,600.
BEV Deliveries by Selected Models
| Model | Deliveries, Jan–Sep 2026 |
|---|---|
| Škoda Elroq | 92,200 |
| Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5 | 81,900 |
| Škoda Enyaq, including Coupé | 72,700 |
| Volkswagen ID.3 | 61,100 |
| Audi Q6 e-tron, SUV/Sportback | 50,400 |
| Volkswagen ID.7, including Tourer | 47,500 |
| Audi Q4 e-tron, SUV/Sportback | 47,000 |
| Volkswagen ID. Buzz, including Cargo | 42,000 |
| CUPRA Born | 29,000 |
| Audi A6 e-tron, Avant/Sportback | 27,600 |
The Volkswagen Group’s nine-month results show that its global vehicle deliveries remain under pressure, particularly in China, but its European electric vehicle business is gaining traction. With BEVs representing around one-fifth of vehicles delivered in Europe and approximately 40% of the regional order book, the company enters the final quarter of 2026 with a growing pipeline of electric vehicle orders.