Volkswagen has once again become
Europe’s highest-selling brand. The German group overtook former
number one, Renault, last year for the first time since 2001 in the region.
It recorded record global sales in 2005.
The VW group, however, hasn't been doing so well in the US, where
losses are reported to be as close as €1bn ($1.2bn) last year. Chief
executive, Bernd Pischetsrieder, however promised at the Detroit Show
this month that the VW division (VW, Skoda, Bentley and Bugatti) will
return to profit following the launch of special items this year.
Figures published on Monday by the European Association of Automobile
Manufacturers showed VW-badged cars increased sales 3.9 per cent to 1.5m
in western Europe last year, as the market fell slightly to 14.5m.
Renault, meanwhile, saw its sales fall 5.6 per cent to 1.4m, as its core
Mégane range of family cars aged.
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