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.
