Volkswagen Group reports substantial rise in first-quarter sales revenue and earnings

"We began 2010 with a large number of attractive new vehicles and are continuing our model rollout," Chairman of the Board of Management Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn commented on Wednesday. "The good start to the year confirms we are on the right track and have been ableto capture an above-average share of growth on automotive markets compared with the first quarter of 2009," Winterkorn underscored. "However, we must continue to monitor further developments closely. Our targets for 2010 - to grow deliveries, sales revenue and operating profit - remain unchanged."

Volkswagen today issued an ad hoc release containing its key figures for the first quarter of 2010.

• Volkswagen Group makes positive start to fiscal year 2010
  
• At EUR 848 million, operating profit up on the weak prior-year figure (EUR 312 million)
  
• Profit before tax increases to EUR 703 million (EUR 52 million)
  
• Group sales revenue 19.4 percent higher than in the prior-year period at EUR 28.6 billion
  
• Cash flows from operating activities amount to EUR 3.0 billion (EUR 2.9 billion); ratio of investments in property, plant and equipment (capex) to sales revenue at 3.5 percent (5.5 percent)
  
• Outflow of EUR 1.7 billion cash for the investment in Suzuki
  
  

Successful capital increase generates cash inflow of approximately EUR 4.1 billion, includingaround EUR 3.0 billion in the reporting period; all preferred shares placed in advance

• Automotive Division net liquidity at high level of EUR 14.2 billion
  
• Group launches new model rollout for 2010:
  
• At 1.7 million vehicles, Group deliveries to customers 24.4 percent higher than in the weakprevious year; global market share increases to 11.6 percent
  
• Continued strong demand for Group models in China; prior-year figures also exceeded inWestern Europe, North and South America
  
• New Compact Coupe concept car unveiled to the global public
  
• Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand celebrates world premieres of the new Sharan and thenew Touareg, which is also available in a hybrid version
  
• Audi A1 is the first premium vehicle in the small compact car segment
  
• Audi A1 e-tron demonstrates the Group's expertise in e-mobility
  
• Skoda presents the Fabia Scout
  
• SEAT unveils the Ibiza ST and the concept car for the IBE electric model
  
• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launches the Amarok pickup