We still have to wait for the definitive European sales figures for 2025, but Volkswagen has already declared itself the market leader. However, it’s not all good news for the Germans.
Of the four major global markets the brand operates in, its home market Europe is the second largest. Volkswagen sold (as a brand) 1,318,100 cars in Europe in 2025, 5.1 percent more than in 2024, and according to their own statements, enough to call themselves the market leader here. How the European situation precisely looks will only be learned at the end of this month when industry organization ACEA releases the definitive figures.
Volkswagen also sold significantly more cars in South America. In 2025, 568,200 Volkswagens were registered there, an increase of no less than 18.5 percent. This means South America surpasses North America, where ‘only’ 544,000 Volkswagens were sold after an 8.2 percent decrease.
The biggest market and biggest headache remains China. Although 2,015,200 Volkswagens were still registered there, Volkswagen did record an 8.4 percent decrease. This significantly contributes to the overall global result, as at that level, Volkswagen has to contend with 1.4 percent less than the previous year. The total number of Volkswagens sold worldwide thus amounts to 4.73 million, the brand reports.
Volkswagen looks to the near future with some realism. Martin Sander, Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen, explains: “We expect market conditions to remain generally challenging in 2026. Nevertheless, I am convinced that thanks to our renewed model program and our clear focus on efficiency and competitiveness, we are very well equipped to meet this challenge. In China alone, we are launching more than ten new electric models this year.”
Electric
Globally, about 8 percent of the Volkswagens delivered were fully electric. In absolute numbers, this amounted to 382,000 units, 0.2 percent less than in 2024. Particularly in Europe, the electric share is growing rapidly, with an impressive 49.1 percent increase in our continent. The large ID.7, in particular, is performing well.
SUVs
Even more than EVs, SUVs are the major drivers for Volkswagen, and many other car manufacturers, of course. More than half of the Volkswagens delivered worldwide (50.2 percent) in 2025 were SUVs, 5.3 percent more than in 2024. In the US, the SUV share was even 78.5 percent, while the T-Roc can call itself the most popular SUV ‘overall’ in Europe. Whether the new generation presented in 2025 (photo above) can continue the success of its predecessor is not yet definitively known.