The global semiconductor crisis has done what even the $30 billion Dieselgate scandal couldn’t do to Volkswagen Group. The German auto group first lost its place to Toyota for the highest-selling carmaker in the world, not according to Dataforce, VW Group has lost its ‘Number One’ throne in Europe as well.
Volkswagen Group fell to second place behind French-based global conglomerate Stellantis Group. The merged entity of Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, toppled the mighty Volkswagen by just 693 vehicles with 3,161,594 cars and vans sold in Europe during 2021 compared to 3,160,901 units sold by VW Group.
Dissecting deeper into the stats, Stellantis sold fewer passenger cars than Volkswagen, with the German company selling 511,365 more units than its French rival group. However Stellantis delivered 722,702 light commercial vehicles which is 512,119 more than the Volkswagen Group, to overtake them in cumulative numbers.
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Stellantis was formed pulling together PSA (Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Vauxhall and DS) and FCA (Jeep, Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lancia, Abarth). In comparison, VW Group sells Volkswagen, Seat, Cupra, Skoda, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley in Europe, having sold its Bugatti hypercar brand to Rimac last year.
Volkswagen has already admitted that its 2021 delivery figures were the worst in 10 years, placing the blame squarely on its struggle to find enough semiconductors to fill its order banks. According to Volkswagen Group’s sales and marketing head, Klaus Zellmer:
“The lagging supply of semiconductors caused limitations in production throughout the course of the year, which ultimately had a major impact on the unit sales figures.”
Of all the players under Volkswagen’s umbrella, only Porsche and Seat saw sales rise in 2021. Porsche saw its sales increased by 11% last year to 301,915 units and expects to reach more than 335,000 this year if growth continues with the same pace. Interestingly China was the biggest contributor in Porsche sales with almost a third of every vehicle sold in 2021.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
