Trends in the markets

TRENDS IN THE PASSENGER CAR MARKETS

In fiscal year 2017, the global market volume of passenger cars rose by 2.9% to 83.5 million vehicles, achieving a record figure for the seventh time in a row. While demand rose in the Asia-Pacific, South America, Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe regions, the market volume in North America, the Middle East and Africa fell short of the prior-year figures.

Sector-specific environment

The sector-specific environment was influenced significantly by fiscal policy measures, which contributed substantially to the mixed trends in sales volumes in the markets last year. The instruments used were tax cuts or increases, incentive programs and sales incentives, as well as import duties.

In addition, non-tariff trade barriers to protect the respective domestic automotive industry made the movement of vehicles, parts and components more difficult.

Europe/Other Markets

In Western Europe, new passenger car registrations rose by 2.5% to 14.3 million vehicles, the highest level in the past ten years. The positive performance was underpinned in particular by the strong macroeconomic environment, consumer confidence and low interest rates. In Italy (+8.1%) and Spain (+7.7%), the level of demand benefited from demand for replacement vehicles and particularly from significant growth in sales to commercial customers. The rate of growth in the French passenger car market was lower, at 4.8%. In the United Kingdom, the volume of demand fell 5.7% short of the record level seen in the previous year – due among other things to the change in vehicle taxation as of April 1, 2017. The number of diesel vehicles (passenger cars) in Western Europe slipped to 44.4 (49.5)% in the reporting year.

The passenger car market volume in the Central and Eastern European region in fiscal year 2017 was up considerably on the prior-year figure, with an increase of 12.6% to 3.0 million vehicles. New passenger car registrations in the EU member states of Central Europe increased by 12.5% to 1.3 million units. Passenger car sales in Eastern Europe also achieved a double-digit growth rate (+12.6%), starting from a very low level. The main growth driver in the region was the Russian market, which, with an increase of 12.3% to 1.5 million vehicles, saw demand increase again for the first time after four years of decline.

At a rate of change of 2.4%, the number of new passenger cars registered in South Africa in the reporting period (370 thousand vehicles) was slightly higher than the comparatively low level seen the previous year. Despite the weak overall economic environment, incentive programs and lower interest rates were the principal causes of this increase.

Germany

In fiscal year 2017, demand for passenger cars in Germany exceeded the prior-year figure by 2.7% at 3.4 million units. The fact that this was the highest level since 2009 was attributable not only to the buoyant macroeconomic environment but also to manufacturer discounts in the form of a trade-in bonus for older diesel models as well as to an environmental bonus for electric-powered vehicles (all-electric and plug-in hybrid drives). New registrations for both retail customers (+4.4%) and business customers (+1.7%) increased as a result.

However, domestic production and exports fell short of the comparable prior-year figures in 2017. Passenger car production declined by 1.7% to 5.6 million vehicles. Passenger car exports fell by 0.9% to 4.4 million vehicles; this was mainly due to the fact that the volume of exports to North America was significantly lower because of shifts in production accompanied by a weakening of the North American market.

North America

At 20.8 million vehicles (−1.4%) in fiscal year 2017, sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (up to 6.35 tonnes) in the North America region were just under the record level seen in the previous year. In the US market, demand diminished compared with the high level in 2016 by 1.8% to 17.2 million units. A favorable labor market, high consumer confidence and generous manufacturer incentive programs were unable to stop the downward tendency. The trend in demand towards SUV and pickup models (+5.7%) continued, accompanied by a simultaneous decline in sales of traditional passenger cars (−10.9%).

The Canadian automotive market again recorded growth (+4.6% to 2.0 million vehicles), exceeding the record figure of the previous year. By contrast, sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Mexico were down on the record volumes achieved in the prior-year period (−4.6% to 1.5 million units).

South America

In South America, demand for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles rose from the previously low level by a significant 12.6% to 4.2 million units in the reporting period. After four years of declining new vehicle registrations, growth of 9.4% to 2.2 million vehicles was recorded again for the first time in the Brazilian automotive market. However, the market volume was still around a quarter lower than the average for the last ten years. Brazil’s vehicle exports saw a marked increase in 2017, climbing 46.5% to 762 thousand units to exceed the all-time high recorded in 2005. Exports benefited in particular from the dynamic development of the market in Argentina, where demand increased by 26.2% year-on-year to 855 thousand passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The second-highest number of new registrations in the region's history was primarily driven by price reductions and attractive financing models offered by the manufacturers.

Asia-Pacific

The market volume in the Asia-Pacific region rose by 4.7% in the past fiscal year to 37.0 million units; this was the highest absolute increase in new vehicle registrations worldwide. Once again, the main growth driver was the Chinese passenger car market, although the growth rate was low compared with previous years, with an increase of 4.5% to 23.9 million vehicles. This was mainly because customers brought forward purchases at the end of 2016 in anticipation of a rise in the tax rate on vehicles of up to 1.6 l at the beginning of 2017.

The number of passenger cars sold in India grew 9.3% year-on-year to 3.1 million units, topping the 3 million mark for the first time ever. This was due not only to high consumer confidence, a wealth of new models and attractive financing products, but especially to the goods and services tax introduced on July 1, 2017, which resulted in part in improved purchasing conditions for the consumer.

The Japanese passenger car market showed a substantial improvement over the low prior-year level with sales of 4.4 million vehicles in the reporting period (+6.1%). The main reasons for the positive trend were the market success of new models and the continued government support for fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles.

TRENDS IN THE MARKETS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Overall demand for light commercial vehicles in fiscal year 2017 was slightly lower than in the previous year. A total of 9.1 (9.3) million vehicles were registered worldwide.

In Western Europe, the number of new vehicle registrations rose by 4.7% during the year to 1.9 million units, driven by the region’s continued positive economic performance. The markets in Italy, France and Spain recorded moderate to high growth rates, while the United Kingdom registered a decline. In Germany, the comparative figure for 2016 was exceeded by 3.6%.

Central and Eastern European markets recorded perceptible growth on the whole with 326 (306) thousand vehicle registrations. In Russia alone, 123 (116) thousand light commercial vehicles were registered. There, market performance benefited from the ruble’s recovery and the drop in inflation. Most of the markets in this region succeeded in maintaining or exceeding their prior-year results.

In North and South America, the light vehicle market is reported as part of the passenger car market, which includes both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

Registration volumes of light commercial vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region decreased to 6.0 million units in the reporting period (−3.1%). In China, the region’s dominant market, demand for light commercial vehicles of 3.4 million units was down a substantial 8.2% on the prior-year figure.

This decline is mainly due to the shift in demand for micro vans towards more cost-effective MPVs and SUVs. As a consequence of the sustained economic growth in India, considerably more vehicles were registered than in 2016; here, 560 (510) thousand new units were registered. The market volume fell in Japan as a result of the persistently weak economic trend (−5.0%).

Global demand for mid-sized and heavy trucks with a gross weight of more than six tonnes in the markets that are relevant for the Volkswagen Group was higher in fiscal year 2017 than in the previous year, with 547 thousand new vehicle registrations (+7.4%).

In Western Europe, the number of new truck registrations remained level with the previous year at a total of 289 thousand vehicles. While the market in Spain remained at the previous year’s level, in Italy it expanded. Demand in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands declined. New registrations in Germany, Western Europe’s largest market, were on a level with the previous year.

Central and Eastern Europe saw demand rise by 17.7% to 153 thousand units on the back of the positive economic performance. This growth was attributable to the Russian market; here, registrations moved up 47.7% from a low prior-year level to 72 thousand vehicles. Reasons for this were the incipient recovery of the economy, declining inflation rates and demand for replacement vehicles.

South America saw a significant increase in market volume compared with the previous year. Here, the number of new vehicle registrations rose by 11.8% to 105 thousand units. In Brazil, the region’s largest market, demand for trucks was up 2.9% on the low prior-year figure. This reflected a recovery of the market once the difficult economic climate improved. There was a very sharp increase in new vehicle registrations in Argentina (+78,7%), buoyed by the political reforms and stimulus from the agricultural sector.

Demand for buses in the markets that are relevant for the Volkswagen Group was considerably higher than in the previous year. The markets in Central and Eastern Europe as well as South America contributed in particular to this growth.

TRENDS IN THE MARKETS FOR POWER ENGINEERING

The markets for power engineering are subject to differing regional and economic factors. Consequently, their business growth trends are generally independent of each other.

The number of orders for merchant vessels remained very low in the first half of 2017. Construction of new bulk carriers and container ships in particular fell short of expectations on account of overall low freight rates. In the second half of 2017, however, the market volume in merchant shipping stood at a higher level overall and a slightly positive trend in new orders for ships became apparent. Yet, despite the ongoing recovery in oil prices, existing overcapacity in the offshore sector continued to curb investment in oil production. As a result, new ship construction came to a virtual standstill here. By contrast, a stable uptrend was again recorded in demand for cruise ships, ferries, fishing vessels and dredgers. The special market for government vessels also continued on a positive trajectory. In spite of the still low liquid fuel prices, the somewhat positive trend towards gas-powered ships stabilized in expectation of stricter emission standards. As a whole, the marine market showed slight growth at a low level in 2017 compared with the previous year. China, South Korea and Japan remained the dominant shipbuilding countries, accounting for a global market share of more than 75% measured in terms of the number of ships. On account of low market volumes, all market segments are seeing considerable competition and a sharp drop in prices as a result.

Demand for energy solutions in emerging economies increased slightly once again in 2017. The Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and South America regions continue to be relevant markets for energy solutions. Particularly on larger projects, order placement is being delayed due to ongoing muted growth in key emerging markets and persistently difficult financing conditions for customers. Overall, there was a slight year-on-year increase in demand for decentralized diesel and gas engine power plants in 2017. The shift away from oil-fired power plants towards dual-fuel and gas-fired power plants intensified further. Nevertheless, nearly all projects continue to be subject to intense competition and pressure on prices, which has a negative impact on the earnings quality of orders.

The market for the construction of turbomachinery is mainly dominated by investment projects in oil and gas, the processing industry and power generation. In spite of a modest recovery, oil prices remained low on the whole in 2017. As a result, leading oil and gas companies kept capital expenditure at a low level. Planned projects were postponed again or canceled. Demand for products from the processing industry and power generation remained generally weak in 2017. Failure to reduce overcapacity in some industries, such as steel-making, prevented any recovery in the corresponding markets. Insufficient capacity utilization at many manufacturers intensified the level of competition. Overall, the market volume for turbomachinery in the reporting period was marginally higher than in the prior-year period. Competition and pressure on prices remain fierce.

The marine and power plant after-sales business for diesel engines generally performed positively and benefited from a continued increase in interest in long-term maintenance contracts and retrofit solutions. The after-sales market for turbomachinery showed a slight uptrend.

TRENDS IN THE MARKET FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES

Demand for automotive financial services was high once again in 2017, due above all to the expansion of the overall market for passenger cars and low key interest rates in the main currency areas. Particularly insurance and service products such as maintenance and servicing agreements were especially popular, as customers in more advanced automotive financial services markets are putting greater focus on optimizing overall running costs. In the fleet segment, some customers consulted automotive financial service providers in order to optimise their entire mobility management beyond mere fleet operation. There was also increased demand from both private and business customers for mobility services centered on vehicle usage rather than ownership.

In Europe, sales of financial services climbed further in the reporting period, strengthened by higher vehicle sales and demand for after-sales products such as servicing, maintenance and spare parts agreements as well as automotive-related insurance. Demand developed positively in most countries; in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Italy in particular, automotive financial services products continued to enjoy rising popularity. The UK’s decision to leave the EU has not yet had a negative impact on local demand for financial services.

In Germany, the share of loan-financed or leased vehicles remained stable at a high level in 2017. Alongside traditional products, mobility services and after-sales products were particularly popular.

In South Africa, structural deficits and political uncertainty curbed economic growth, which also impacted on the automotive industry. Demand for automotive financial services products remained stable.

Sales of automotive financial services in North America remained at a high level in the fiscal year now ended. In the USA, the overall market for financial services products once again performed positively. In particular, demand for leasing through captive financial service providers was consistently high. In Mexico, demand for automotive financial services products continued at a high level.

The macroeconomic and political situation in Brazil remained tense in 2017 and had a negative impact on the consumer credit business for new vehicles as well as on sales of the country-specific financial services product Consorcio, a lottery-style savings plan. The negative trend tapered off slightly in the second half of the year, however. Argentina’s automotive industry was helped in 2017 by price reductions and attractive financing models from manufacturers. The above-average demand for vehicles was the basis for a good year for automotive financial services.

The performance of markets in the Asia-Pacific region during the reporting period was mixed. In China, the proportion of loan-financed vehicle purchases rose. Despite increasing restrictions on registrations in metropolitan areas, there is still considerable potential to acquire new customers for automotive-related financial services, particularly in the interior of the country. Demand for automotive financial services in Japan and Korea was stable on the whole. In Australia, the central bank’s continued policy of low interest rates stimulated demand for automotive-related financial services and service contracts.

In the commercial vehicles segment, the European market for financial services again performed positively; demand also rose in China. The tense economic situation in Brazil once again put pressure on the truck and bus business and the related financial services market, though this negative trend weakened somewhat in the second half of the year.