As elsewhere, the first quarter of 2022 was dominated at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) by challenges in production. The availability of bought-in products and challenges in the logistics chain have become even more severe since February, primarily due to the war in Ukraine. In line with these developments, the number of units shipped fell by 14.5 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter to 81,900. Despite this fall in volume and the accompanying drop in turnover to 2.3 billion euros (previous year 2.7 billion euros), VWCV was able to significantly increase operating profit to 46 million euros (+61 per cent year-on-year).
“Despite the reduced number of units shipped, we managed to significantly increase our profit. We are benefiting from stable prices in the markets, the high level of demand for our California and ongoing strong pre-owned vehicle trading. Our strict cost discipline has also played a key role in the positive development for our bottom line,” explains Michael Obrowski, Brand Management Board Member for Finance and IT at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The T series saw units shipped in the first quarter fall by 19.5 per cent to a total of 35,100. At the same time, the California 6.1 saw numbers rise in the first quarter by nearly a third to 5,500. Following the model change and the introduction of the completely new vehicle, the new Multivan also achieved an anticipated volume of 2,300. The number of Caddy units shipped rose slightly by 2.6 per cent to 22,900, while the Crafter was worse hit by the negative impacts in the first quarter and fell to 13,900 vehicles supplied to customers (-26.6 per cent). Ahead of the presentation of the new model this summer, the Amarok also saw a decline to 9,800 vehicles (-9.7 per cent compared to the previous year).
“Demand for our products remains high and our order books are well filled. We are hoping that the supply situation will ease, so that we are able to supply our customers with the vehicles that they both want and have ordered. And we are, of course, looking forward to the start of pre-sales of the new all-electric ID. Buzz1 in May,” says Lars Krause, Management Board Member for Sales.
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