VW prepares for big H2
Sales will accelerate in the back half of 2012, says local VW bossVolkswagen Australia is gearing up for a strong performance in the second half of 2011.
The German mass market brand has achieved record sales in the first half of 2011. Almost seven per cent up on 2010 June YTD (year to date), this sales stat has been achieved in spite of the runout and limited supply of a number of key models.
Though Golf achieved an amazing 3200-plus sales in June, key lines including Tiguan, Jetta, Touareg, Eos and Passat were all in the final throes of their supply lines in early 2011. In recent weeks the Eos, Touareg and Passat have arrived in their latest guises. In the second half of this year, Volkswagen Australia will debut a new Jetta, a limited edition Gold GTI, the facelifted Tiguan softroader and two key 'image' models -- Golf Cabrio and the Scirocco R coupe.
It's little wonder VW Australia boss Anke Koeckler (pictured) is bullish about the brand's fortunes.
"We're very pleased about our sales and increase in market share [in the first half of 2011] but we are not getting too excited. Toyota [share] has suffered very much... We are not looking at quick gains or grabbing number nine or number eight spot [in the sales charts] but if it happens..." Koeckler told motoring.com.au.
Indeed, Koeckler is cautious and not keen at projecting an end-of-year run rate for her key brand.
"We are not talking where we might be yet. We have a consistent order bank and the dealers must deliver those cars. Next year we have full availability and we do expect a big jump [in volume]," she stated.
"But I stress we are not running for full volume. we have to make sure our dealers are investing in service [and other infrastructure]. It is the second car that people buy [from Volkswagen] that will give us growth... Right now we could [push to] sell more."
Volkswagen's sales Down Under topped 20,000 units for the first six months of 2011. However runout models discounted the maker's volume by as much as 1600 units. In the second half of 2011 the brands run rate should approach 50,000 units per annum.
Volume will be further bolstered by better availability of the Amarok one-tone utility. Currently the stylish LCV is only available in crew (double) cab variants and no automatic transmission options are offered.
"For sure Amarok presents a huge volume opportunity for us," Koeckler said.
And according to the VW boss it's not just in the volume it can generate in its own right.
"Amarok gives us help in under-represented areas like Queensland. Amarok there becomes a flagship that enables us to become more approachable [with other models] to more Australians," she stated.
Volkswagen new model rollout: 2011
Passat -- all-new
Golf Bluemotion -- new to Oz variant
Eos -- facelifted model
Touareg -- all-new
2012 Q1: Beetle -- all-new
2012 Q?: Amarok single-cab and auto/powertrain options
2012 Q?: Up! -- all-new
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