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VW sales drop 20% in UK VW sales drop 20% in UK as diesel emissions scandal hits carmaker
(about 2 hours later)
Volkswagen sales in Britain tumbled in November with new car registrations of VW-branded models falling 20% year-on-year in the wake of the diesel emissions-rigging scandal, industry figures showed. Volkswagen sales in Britain tumbled in November in a clear sign that the diesel emissions scandal has hit the German brand.
Overall new car registrations grew 3.8% year-on-year in November to 178,876, Britain’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said. This compared with a 1.1% drop in October, which ended 43 months of continual growth in a market which has benefited from purchases helped by cheap finance deals. Sales of Volkswagen branded cars fell by 20% year-on-year last month, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
However, all of VW’s main brands recorded drops, with Audi branded cars falling 4%, Seat 24% and Skoda 11%. Related: Volkswagen takes €20bn loan as emissions crisis deepens
The slump in sales compounds the problems facing VW, which is embroiled in one of the biggest corporate scandals ever and is facing the threat of fines and legal claims worth tens of billions of pounds.
As well as a fall in sales in the UK, VW sales fell 25% in the US last month. In Germany, sales fell only 2% with VW remaining the bestselling brand.
VW’s other brands are also suffering in the UK, with sales of Audi branded cars falling 4%, Seat 24% and Skoda 11%.
Although the scandal engulfing the German carmaker first broke in mid-September, car deliveries typically occur several weeks after purchase decisions, making November’s data the best gauge so far of the impact on demand.Although the scandal engulfing the German carmaker first broke in mid-September, car deliveries typically occur several weeks after purchase decisions, making November’s data the best gauge so far of the impact on demand.
Overall new car registrations grew 3.8% year on year in November to 178,876. This compared with a 1.1% drop in October, which ended 43 months of continual growth in a market which has benefited from purchases helped by cheap finance deals.
Other car brands also recorded a fall in sales in November, with Citroën down 29% and Fiat falling by 21%. However, Vauxhall sales rose 26% and Ford was up 13%.
The VW crisis appears to have had a limited effect on sales of diesel cars in general, which rose 3.6% year-on-year in November. This was just behind the 3.8% growth for petrol cars, but ahead of the 2.7% recorded for the year.
VW is one of the biggest-selling car brands in the UK. The VW Golf was the fourth best-selling car in the UK last month, and in the year to date, behind the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus.