VW’s Diesel Sales Rose 10% in 2018

Greg Hyde

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30th January 2019

Volkswagen has announced sales of its diesel passenger vehicles increased by 10% in Germany last year.

According to a statement from the automaker, 43% of Volkswagen Passenger Cars’ incoming vehicle orders last year were for diesel cars, up from 39% in 2017. Sales to private customers in the country nearly doubled, increasing from 15% of orders made in 2017 to 27% in 2018. This comes despite the general industry-wide slump in diesel vehicle sales that has been a key factor in Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)’s UK redundancy plans.

Commenting on the figures, Volkswagen board member for sales Jürgen Stackmann was keen to highlight diesel vehicles’ eco-friendly credentials. He said: “In Germany, the diesel debate is emotionally charged – and frequently strays from the facts. Given its high efficiency and its performance and in light of climate change, the diesel engine will remain an important technology for years to come, especially for those who travel long distances”.

A company statement added that diesel vehicles’ CO2 emissions can be up to 15% lower than their petrol counterparts. It claimed Volkswagen’s new EA288 evo diesel engines are capable of “even lower emission levels” and can reduce them “by up to 10 g/km (NEDC) in a direct comparison to the previous generation”.