Volkswagen displaced Ford as the world’s third-largest automaker in the first half of this year, data released this week shows. Ford ceded its number-two spot to Toyota in 2003, and it looks like the American automaker will probably be relegated to fourth by the end of 2008. VW Group sales roles 7.2 percent to 3.31 million vehicles so far this year. Meanwhile, Ford sales dropped 11 percent to 3.09 million units.
With gas prices soaring and consumers continuing to shun the Detroit Three, it’s no surprise Ford’s sales continue to fall. Also impacting the overall figure is the recent sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors. Accordingly, the two brands no longer count toward Ford’s overall sales tally. But with overall sales of the British luxury brands under 300,000 units per year, they would not have contributed enough to enable Ford to keep its position.
Flush with a number of successful brands, Volkswagen seems on track for continued success. In addition to its namesake brand, VW Group marques include Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Seat, and Skoda.
07/30, 9:56 AM
posted by:
elviososa
there are many VW in Mexico and China alone.
07/30, 10:02 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Well duh, Ford makes such boring, bland automobiles.
07/30, 10:11 AM
posted by:
chester
man, I am just baffled as to why ihustle hasn’t got on here yet to spout off sales numbers and B.S. to defend “Ford’s honor”.. lol
07/30, 10:35 AM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
howsmydriving
i respect VW interior quality and attention to design detail and believe there group are top at that.
But the VW brand itself is much more borning than ford in europe and ford has a superior lineup of cars. As for the overall VAG group I think the deserve the success, everybrand has been marketed successfully unlike FORD and GM brands. The only trouble is the SEAT brand but a turnaround has begun there.
well done vw
07/30, 10:41 AM
posted by:
xyunya
I observe large number of VW vehicles in Europe. However, not all brands are labeled as quality vehicles. There is a lot of historical momentum is playing out in Europe, but I don’t think it will last forever. While Skoda and Audi did gain sales VW itself is loosing its luster. Hence the reason Porsche is aiming for acquisition with intention of improving brand.
07/30, 11:55 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Wow… tis a historic day indeed when the Bug surpasses the F-150.
07/30, 12:10 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Ford better quit dragging their ass on the carpet. Hyundai’s next in line to come sniffing their hind quarters and we’ve all heard the rumours about what Koreans do with dogs.
07/30, 12:39 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
eat ‘em or fu.ck ‘em
07/30, 12:46 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
…good name for a law firm.
07/30, 1:26 PM
posted by:
ktulu
whinm well tata pass ford?
Ford makes boring, bland automobiles, and VW has the advantage of being europeon. not boring.
vag?
Audis R gr8
Koreans R buddhists, who frown on eating meat.
07/30, 1:43 PM
posted by:
inline6
I’m not too terribly surprised. With Skoda enjoying record sales, I imagine VW AG is really growing. I wish they sold Skodas here.
I’m off and on about VW. I like the Rabbit and GTI, but the Jetta looks too much like a Corolla. The Beetle’s okay, but it’s old, has horrible packaging, and it’s too big and expensive for what the original was. I think the Tiguan is the best-looking compact crossover on the market, and it’s priced right. I hate the Eos because it’s boring from most angles, and awful from a few (most retractables are). The Passat is nice, and the CC looks to be nicer. But the Touareg is a bloated, fuel-swilling, space-wasting pig of an SUV that is way too expensive, the Phaeton (which I can’t believe they’re bringing back) is boring, and the most arrogant and idiotic decision VW’s made in recent memory. While the Routan is helping bring in some cash for Chrysler, it’s really a cynical marketing exercise and hard to respect, really.
07/30, 1:55 PM
posted by:
bneal
This article makes no sense to me. If Volkswagen passed Ford to take the #3 spot, then doesn’t that make Ford #4?
Why does it say Ford “will probably be relegated to fourth by the end of 2008″?
07/30, 1:56 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
“Ford makes boring, bland automobiles, ”
I don’t think that’s the problem. Toyota makes even more boring, bland automobiles, and they currently rule the world. People like boring, bland automobiles. Same reason vanilla is the best selling ice cream flavor.
Not me, but I’m not like most people…
07/30, 2:02 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
—-Bneal
They just mean that if things continue as they are ford will be number four. The year isn’t over yet and until then ford is number 3.
As for VW, I love the idea of their brand. To offer german styling and interiors in reasonably priced cars is great. But their reliability is so terrible. If they could only improve that one thing, they would corner the market for up and coming businessmen looking for something with some style that doesn’t break the bank.
07/30, 2:55 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Nightblack_97 if they could only solve that little problem for the past 30-40 years
07/30, 4:07 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Its because VW runs their buisness in a smart manner, and over the last few years, have decided to start building good cars.
07/30, 4:32 PM
posted by:
bneal
Nightblack_97 -
If that’s the case then why does the first sentence say this happened “in the first half of this year”?
Perhaps I’m being picky, but I’m just curious as to what the message actually is. Did VW pass Ford yet or not?
07/30, 7:38 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Once the German government approves the merger, won’t Porsche then be the 3rd largest automaker?
07/30, 9:47 PM
posted by:
A4
yeahhhh vw! **** porsche
07/31, 1:11 AM
posted by:
maxcar
@ inline6: dead-on, mate.