VW says "We're number three!"; tops Ford in sales

August 29, 3:51 PMAuto Review ExaminerJohn Matras

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The Volkswagen Group has claimed the title of third largest automaker, based on deliveries during the first half of 2008, overtaking Ford Motor Company’s worldwide vehicle output. During that period, the group delivered some 3.31 million vehicles, up by 7.2 percent, while Ford put a mere 3.22 million vehicles on wheels during that time. 

“Deliveries” are wholesale sales, cars delivered to dealers. Ford does not report delivery numbers but rather retail sales, so the data are not directly comparable.

“[Overtaking Ford] shows that we are on the right track with our ever-stronger international presence and, above all, our product program,” said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

The Volkswagen Group includes the Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bentley and Lamborghini, and sales of all brands are included in this total. Ford’s total includes Ford-branded vehicles, plus Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. Jaguar and Land Rover were included for the period before the sale to Tata.

Toyota is the global leader in automotive sales and production, taking over first place from General Motors in the first quarter of ’08. GM still holds a narrow lead over Toyota in U.S. sales, based on second-quarter U.S. sales. Both Toyota and GM sell more cars to the rest of the world than in the U.S. 

Illustration: 2008 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE shows taillights to Ford; John Matras/carbuzzard.com photo.