2015: Porsche Holding Salzburg continues to grow

• Record sales volume in wholesale
• Significant increase in market presence in CEE countries
• Market share in Austria at around 35%
• Outlook for 2016

Vienna, 15 December 2015 - According to interim figures, in 2015 Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) will once again achieve a record volume in wholesale, and in the markets in which it has market responsibility, it will achieve a further increase in total market share.

In mid-2015, PHS assumed responsibility for the Bosnia and Herzegovina market and now has a presence with Volkswagen Group brands throughout the CEE region. Worldwide it now has retail and wholesale operations in 25 countries. 2015 was once again a very successful year for PHS. The anticipated figure for new vehicles delivered is 664,000 - a 6.5% increase on the record figure achieved in 2014.

The number of dealerships rose to 628 (+36). Worldwide, the company currently employs 33,000 people (+700).

"Despite the fact that to some extent market conditions remain difficult, overall in wholesale we were able to grow faster than the market and thus increase our market share by 1.1% to 17.6%," said Alain Favey, CEO of the PHS Management Board at today's annual press conference in Vienna.

In wholesale, the anticipated end-of-year figure for new vehicles delivered by PHS is around 288,000 (+4.4%), a record once again.

CEE region contributing to growth

This year a large proportion of the growth came from the CEE region, where the total market rose to 658,300 new vehicles (+4.6%). If one disregards Ukraine, the rest of the CEE region saw market growth of 14.2%.

The most substantial market growth was in the Czech Republic (+20.1%), Romania (+17.2%), Slovenia (+12.6%) and Hungary (+11.8%).

In 2015, PHS increased its new vehicle sales volume in the CEE region for the fifth year in succession, delivering around 158,000 vehicles (+12.6%) to customers.

The market share of the Volkswagen Group brands represented by PHS in this region rose to 19.0% (+0.3 percentage points).

A. Favey sees this as confirmation of the decision to continue to maintain a sales presence there throughout the crisis: "We are pleased that the upward trends are continuing in the CEE region. During the crisis years we decided to stay in those markets, and we are now able to reap the benefits of the recovering markets there for our brands."

Stable market situation in Austria

The new vehicles market in Austria remains at a similar level to last year. It is anticipated that the 2015 year-end figure for the total passenger vehicle market will be around 305,000 new registrations.

Volkswagen group brands just under last year's record level

As of the end of November, Volkswagen Group brands held a market share of 34.8%. Four brands and six models from the Volkswagen Group are in Austria's top 10. Porsche Holding Salzburg expects to achieve a market share of almost 35% as of the end of the year, the fourth highest level in the company's history.

Volkswagen Group brands as of the end of November

In November, Volkswagen achieved a market share of 18.1%. In the period January to November, market share was at 17.3%. Thus in 2015 Volkswagen once again remained undisputed market leader, and has been Austria's No.1 brand uninterruptedly since 1957.

ŠKODA will end 2015 on a very successful note. As of the end of November its market share amounted to 6.9%, on par with last year's record level. Skoda has established itself as one of Austria's most popular car brands, and has been among the top three brands since 2012.

In 2015, the premium brand Audi held onto its No. 1 spot in the premium market, which it has held uninterruptedly for 20 years. Despite the model change for its most important product series, the Audi A4, it achieved a market share of 5.7%.

With a 4.4% market share, the SEAT brand consolidated its firm position among the top 10 brands. Thus Austria continues to be the most successful export market in the world for Seat, behind its domestic market Spain.

In a year-on-year comparison the sports car brand Porsche once again made significant gains. As of the end of November, deliveries to customers had increased to 1,235 registrations (+22.3%). The brand will thus achieve a new record this year.

Outlook for 2016 for Austria

For 2016, Porsche Holding Salzburg expects the new vehicle market to remain stable and on par with the level over the last two years; Volkswagen Group brands are expected to continue to maintain their current market performance in Austria. Numerous new models should ensure this.

CO2 issue has been clarified

As announced by Volkswagen AG last week, the situation regarding the measured CO2 values of various Group models has essentially been fully clarified. The originally announced figure of around 800,000 suspected vehicles in Europe has proved inaccurate.

Based on internal measurements, deviations were only found in five of the Volkswagen model versions offered in Austria, and on average amounted to just a few grams of CO2. These model versions correspond to 336 units in Austria and hence approximately 0.85% of annual Volkswagen passenger vehicle registrations.

Implementation of the recall of Volkswagen Group models with diesel engines (EA 189)

For the three European versions of the engine type EA 189 in question, the technical solutions approved by the Federal Motor Transportation Authority (KBA) are now ready for implementation, and the nature and scope of the planned technical measures for the vehicles involved has been clarified.

"Implementation of the recall of around 388,000 vehicles in Austria involved in the nitrogen oxide issue will be a challenge for our service organisation, but we will certainly be able to meet that challenge," affirmed Alain Favey. "According to our initial calculations, the required capacity for this amounts to around 4.2% of annual productive hours."

When the modification phase begins, the customers affected will be contacted (as per brand, model and motorisation) and invited to come to repair shops. Carrying out the technical measures will take between 30 minutes and an hour, and can be combined with repair shop visits already planned. During these repair shop visits customers will be offered replacement transport free of charge.

e-Mobility campaign

Volkswagen AG has announced that over the next few years, it will be placing special emphasis on the development of electric vehicles and will significantly broaden its current range of models.

Starting in 2016, in Austria Volkswagen will offer the e-Golf at a price below that of the Golf TDI:

• For corporate customers, the purchase price of an e-Golf, taking into account all incentives and relevant subsidies (including input tax deduction), will be 23,525* euros (list price: 36,730* euros).
• For individual customers, Porsche Bank will be offering a special lease offer with an all-inclusive package with a monthly rate of 320 euros, i.e., on par with that of a Golf TDI.

In doing so, Volkswagen will be sending a clear message that it is oriented to emission-free, environment-friendly mobility, and is committed to helping achieve significant reductions in operating costs. In addition, for buyers of an e-Golf, the Think Blue.Card will offer free charging for one year.

*) Non-binding, non-cartelized suggested price including standard fuel consumption tax [NoVA], 20% value-added tax, shipping costs and taking into account the NoVA discount per § 6 of the Standard Fuel Consumption Act [NoVAG].