Volkswagen - world’s largest automaker

[Drones]

VW poised to dethrone Toyota as world’s largest automaker

VW poised to dethrone Toyota as world’s largest automaker
04/17/2009, 9:02 AM
By Drew Johnson

Volkswagen has set the goal of overtaking Toyota as the world’s largest automaker by 2018, but it doesn’t look as though the German automaker will have to wait that long. If early reports are correct, VW may have overtaken Toyota as the largest automaker in the first quarter of 2009.

Although VW’s sales were down 11.4 percent in the first quarter, the German automaker saw some strong sales gains in key markets like Germany, Brazil and China. On the other hand, Toyota’s Q1 sales are expected to be down more than 40 percent, with a significant portion of those losses coming from key markets such as the United States and Japan.

In all, VW sold 1.39 million vehicles in the first quarter. According to Reuters, Toyota’s first quarter sales will slip 47 percent to 1.23 million units. Toyota isn’t expected to post its official Q1 results until next week.

If those results hold true, VW can thank scrappage incentive in Germany, Brazil and China – three markets that make up more than 40 percent of VW’s sales — for the number one spot. Government programs in those three regions have spiked consumer demand for new cars, with VW taking better advantage than Toyota.

Although the results are not yet official, it looks as though VW will steal the crown as world’s largest automaker for the first quarter of ’09. However, industry experts expect the race to be tight all year long, meaning VW could still be sitting on top by year’s end.

[W.R.]

So there's Hitler's legacy, the most successful carmaker. It sure was nice of him to design a car for the people, and now the business is just flourishing.

[Wouter Melissen]

So there's Hitler's legacy, the most successful carmaker. It sure was nice of him to design a car for the people, and now the business is just flourishing.

I think you'll find that the British actually established Volkswagen after the War as part of the rebuilding support. The car itself was designed by Ferdinand Porsche.

[W.R.]

I think you'll find that the British actually established Volkswagen after the War as part of the rebuilding support. The car itself was designed by Ferdinand Porsche.

Althought Hitler first came up with the idea and funded the project to make a car for the people of Germany, which was at the time in deep financial trouble. Hitler personaly drew ideas for the KDF Wagen and set up the company. The only reason Volkswagen survived is because of the British making sure that Germany had some economic system and jobs after the war.

[Ferrer]

So this isn't really a race to see who sells more, but rather who loses less sales...

[Matra et Alpine]

The only reason Volkswagen survived is because of the British making sure that Germany had some economic system and jobs after the war.

Wasn't jsut the brits for getting the economy going again.

BUT VW do seem a specially succesful case and all down to Ivan Hirst



represents one of the most interesting examples of management under the Allies. As Senior Resident Officer he was in charge of the Volkswagen Works between 1945 and 1949. While the plant's chances of survival were regarded as very low in 1945, it had become the biggest automobile maker in Germany on his departure in 1949. Hirst's biography reveals the influence of structures, policies and personalities on the course of postwar developments in Germany which also had a decisive impact on the history of Volkswagen.

[LTSmash]

This may just be a technicality but if Porsche owns majority stake of the "largest" auto manufacturer (VW), doesn't that make Porsche the largest?

[Drones]

What Hitler? What the British?
If anyone had brought the company Volkswagen to leadership, it is Ferdinand Piech. He has turned the average company in the world's giant.

[LeonOfTheDead]

This may just be a technicality but if Porsche owns majority stake of the "largest" auto manufacturer (VW), doesn't that make Porsche the largest?

exclusivity trough market dominance.

[4wheelsonline]

Actually, it not Volkwagen the world's largest automakers. From the news it is maybe. So it means it is not sure. And I don't see that VW becomes the car of the year? At least Toyota (Camry) was considered the 2007 car of the year.

I think the volkswagen just made more sales than toyota because according to this news:
"Toyota estimated its shipments fell 47 percent to 1.23 million vehicles in the three months ended March 31, the report said. Volkswagen delivered 1.57 million vehicles in the first quarter in 2008, compared with Toyota’s 2.41 million in the same period, Reuters said."

[Drones]

And I don't see that VW becomes the car of the year?

World car of the year 2009 - Volkswagen Golf

"Toyota estimated its shipments fell 47 percent to 1.23 million vehicles in the three months ended March 31, the report said. Volkswagen delivered 1.57 million vehicles in the first quarter in 2008, compared with Toyota’s 2.41 million in the same period, Reuters said."

Report sales of both companies in the first quarter of 2009
Volkswagen in the first quarter 2009 - 1.39 million
Toyota in the first quarter 2009 - 1.23 million

[LeonOfTheDead]

World car of the year 2009 - Volkswagen Golf



Report sales of both companies in the first quarter of 2009
Volkswagen in the first quarter 2009 - 1.57 million
Toyota in the first quarter 2009 - 1.23 million

A bit funny since the new Golf is a restyled previous gen.
never been into this kind of awards.

[Ferrer]

A bit funny since the new Golf is a restyled previous gen.
never been into this kind of awards.

Yes, it was sad not to see the iQ win.

[Equinox]

So this isn't really a race to see who sells more, but rather who loses less sales...

That's what it looks like.

[Drones]

A bit funny since the new Golf is a restyled previous gen.

Yes, but Golf, not so bad car

So this isn't really a race to see who sells more, but rather who loses less sales...

That's what it looks like.

This is the same thing. In the end, it all comes down to the number of sales.