Volkswagen finished the first half of 2021 on a successful note thanks to efficient crisis management, strict cost discipline and systematic implementation of its ACCELERATE strategy. Despite the coronavirus pandemic and the semiconductor shortage, the number of vehicles delivered worldwide rose to around 2.7 million – 500,000 more than in the previous year. This increase was partly achieved through smart warehouse and supply management. Market share was also expanded in nearly all regions. Sales revenue climbed by 42 percent year-on-year to EUR 40.7 billion on the back of significant growth in sales volume (H1 2020: EUR 28.6 billion). Earnings improved by EUR 3.3 billion year-on-year to around EUR 1.8 billion, giving an operating return on sales of 4.4 percent.
Volkswagen CFO Alexander Seitz: “We succeeded in further reducing our fixed cost ratio. Our strict cost discipline, the good progress we have made in implementing our strategic realignment in North and South America, results-oriented management of the markets and significant volume growth are giving a boost to our financial figures.” The operating net cash flow before special items was positive at EUR 0.8 billion. “This shows that we are well on the way to achieving our goal of an operating net cash flow of between EUR 1 and EUR 2 billion in 2023.”
Outlook for 2021 confirmed
Now that the first six months have ended, the Volkswagen brand confirms its forecast for the current fiscal year. Seitz: “Although there are signs that the supply bottlenecks for semiconductors are beginning to ease, we expect a very challenging third quarter from a supply perspective. Nevertheless, we are confirming our outlook for the year as a whole. We anticipate a significant year-on-year increase in deliveries and sales revenue in 2021 and still aim to post an operating return on sales in the target corridor between 3 and 4 percent. We are sticking to our target margin of 6 percent by 2023 and aim to position the brand for sustainable profitability.”
Financial figures Volkswagen Passenger Cars – H1 2021
| January – June 2020 | January – June 2021 | Change in % | |
| Deliveries (thousand) | 2,199 | 2,703 | +22.9% |
| Vehicle sales (thousand) | 1,134 | 1,552 | +36.9% |
| Sales revenue
(€ million) |
28,580 | 40,689 | +42.4% |
| Operating profit (€ million) | -1,491 | 1,773 | +218.9% |
| Net cash flow(€ million) | -3,705 | 800 | +121.6% |
Deliveries Volkswagen Passenger Cars – H1 2021
| January – June 2020 | January – June 2021 | Change in % |
|
| Western Europe | 478,200 | 616,700 | +29.0% |
| Central & Eastern Europe | 91,700 | 120,300 | +31.2% |
| North America | 208,400 | 289,900 | +39.1% |
| South America | 148,000 | 207,700 | +40.3% |
| China | 1,167,800 | 1,331,900 | +14.1% |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | 52,900 | 61,800 | +16.8% |
| Middle East/Africa | 51,800 | 74,900 | +44.7% |
| World | 2,198,900 | 2,703,200 | +22.9% |
SOURCE: Volkswagen
