The Volkswagen Group delivered 6.01 million vehicles globally in the first nine months of 2026, down 9 per cent compared to the prior-year period (6.60 million units), as gains in European and South American markets were offset by sharp declines in China and North America.
Despite overall market headwinds, the German automotive group experienced accelerating momentum for its all-electric vehicles (BEVs) in Europe. Fully electric models now account for approximately 40 per cent of Volkswagen’s European order book, which doubled compared to year-end 2025.
The growth in European electric vehicle demand was buoyed by high fuel prices and the commercial launch of the group’s “Electric Urban Car Family”—comprising the VW ID. Polo, VW ID. Cross, Škoda Epiq, and CUPRA Raval—which accumulated nearly 150,000 orders shortly after release.
Key operational metrics and regional delivery performance include:
- Global BEV deliveries: Reached 678,700 units worldwide through September, down 5.4 per cent year-on-year, though European BEV delivery growth accelerated by 20 per cent in the third quarter.
- Europe performance: Total regional deliveries rose 1.7 per cent to 2.96 million vehicles. One in five models delivered in Europe during the period was fully electric.
- China market contraction: Total deliveries fell 30.2 per cent to 1.38 million units amid an industry-wide decline in combustion-engine sales, though Q3 electrified vehicle deliveries in China rebounded by 30 per cent year-on-year behind new locally developed models.
- North America & US tariff pressures: North American deliveries dropped 4.0 per cent to 680,200 units, while US BEV deliveries plummeted 78.4 per cent to 14,900 units following the expiration of government subsidy programs and ongoing import tariff pressures.
- Hybrid growth: Global deliveries of second-generation plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and range-extender (EREV) models increased by 23 per cent year-on-year to 368,000 units.
- Top-selling electric models: The Škoda Elroq led global BEV deliveries with 92,200 units, followed by the Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5 (81,900), Škoda Enyaq (72,700), and Volkswagen ID.3 (61,100).
Martin Sander, Member of the Extended Executive Committee for Sales, stated that while the market environment remains challenging, stable performance outside China and strong demand for new entry-level electric models demonstrate positive momentum in key core markets.
