Volkswagen Group reported a decline in vehicle deliveries for the third quarter of 2026, primarily due to ongoing weakness in the Chinese market. The German automaker, which operates brands including Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche, delivered 1.89 million vehicles during the period, representing a 14% drop compared with the same quarter last year.

The company highlighted that the downturn was largely driven by a 39% decrease in deliveries in China, where only 405,800 vehicles were sold. Despite this contraction, Volkswagen noted a growing demand for its second-generation plug-in hybrid and range-extender models in the Chinese market. Nonetheless, the broader market decline, especially in combustion-engine vehicles, weighed heavily on overall results.

Deliveries fell across most of Volkswagen’s key regions. Western Europe experienced a 2.8% decline, while North America saw deliveries drop by 5.8%. Central and Eastern Europe was the sole region reporting growth in vehicle sales during the quarter.

Electric vehicle (EV) deliveries also decreased globally, falling 4.7% year-on-year to 240,200 units. Europe, however, bucked this trend with increased EV sales. Martin Sander, a member of Volkswagen Group’s extended executive committee for sales, attributed the acceleration of electric vehicle adoption in Europe to high fuel prices and the availability of more affordable entry-level EV models.

The results underscore persistent challenges in Volkswagen’s largest market and highlight a shifting consumer preference toward electric mobility in its home region.