[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/vw-dethrones-toyota-worlds-biggest-seller\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/vw-dethrones-toyota-worlds-biggest-seller\/","headline":"VW dethrones Toyota as world\u2019s biggest seller","name":"VW dethrones Toyota as world\u2019s biggest seller","description":"The car industry is a numbers game. Many people like to pretend there\u2019s more to it than that but pretty much every aspect of the automotive world can be boiled down to numbers. Top speed, bhp, 0-62mph times, engine size, boot space, price, fuel economy, CO2 emissions, even the number of seats have served as a battleground amongst carmakers over time. But now, there has been an upset regarding what is perhaps the most important number courtesy of the Volkswagen […]","datePublished":"2017-02-09","dateModified":"2018-12-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/feature-10.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/feature-10.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/vw-dethrones-toyota-worlds-biggest-seller\/","about":["BLOG","Volkswagen"],"wordCount":569,"keywords":["Audi","Diesegate","porsche","Seat","Skoda","toyota","volkswagen","volkswagen golf","vw"],"articleBody":"The car industry is a numbers game. Many people like to pretend there\u2019s more to it than that but pretty much every aspect of the automotive world can be boiled down to numbers.Top speed, bhp, 0-62mph times, engine size, boot space, price, fuel economy, CO2 emissions, even the number of seats have served as a battleground amongst carmakers over time.But now, there has been an upset regarding what is perhaps the most important number courtesy of the Volkswagen Group, which sold more cars than any other carmaker in 2016, dethroning Toyota as the world\u2019s biggest car manufacturer.The German firm – which is made up of Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche and naturally, VW amongst others – sold 10.3 million vehicles in 2016, narrowly more than the 10.2 million shifted by Toyota, which had led global car sales for four years.\u2018Dieselgate\u2019What\u2019s more surprising about the news is that VW has just weathered the biggest scandal in motoring history.In September 2015, it emerged that some VW Group engines carried software that cheated emissions tests, reducing CO2 and NOx levels when lab conditions were replicated.VW\u2019s share values plummeted, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn – the head of VW Group – resigned within days and many expected sales to suffer a mighty dent as customers – feeling betrayed by VW\u2019s dishonesty – ditched the brand en masse.Only that last point didn\u2019t happen, in fact quite the contrary. In 2015, VW\u2019s UK sales actually grew by 4.17 per cent with SEAT being the only VW brand to report a sales drop that year, despite sales climbing a respectable 2.3 per cent across Europe.It\u2019s clear now that this public indifference to the scandal was shared worldwide to the point that they now sit on the automotive throne.\u2018Challenging year\u2019A VW spokesperson admitted to the BBC that \u201c2016 was a very challenging year for us\u201d as the company \u201cmade strides in resolving and overcoming the diesel crisis” and initiated fundamental change in the company’s long-term strategy.“Nonetheless, we managed to stabilise operating business in difficult conditions,\u201d they added.Speaking to Autocar, Volkswagen CEO Matthias M\u00fcller also played down the achievement: \u201cThe race for size is not an end in itself. The fact we delivered more than 10 million cars worldwide in 2016 gives us stability.\u201dVW\u2019s success was down to a 3.8 per cent increase in global sales, fuelled largely by demand in China. Comparatively, Toyota\u2019s sales grew just 0.2 per cent, which is thought to be due to a slowdown in the US market.New era?Felipe Munoz, Global Automotive Analyst for JATO Dynamics, applauded VW\u2019s strength in the face of such scandal and believes VW could hold on to the top spot for some time as the Brazilian and Russian markets stabilise.\u201cThe emissions issue was an enormous challenge for VW Group,\u201d he told Autocar. \u201cDespite the reputational issues it brought about, the German car maker was in a strong position when the scandal hit as a result of its strong sales volumes.\u201cBy leading two of the three largest car markets, Europe and China, VW Group has been able to weather the storm while simultaneously improving its product offering more quickly than its competitors.\u201dGoing forward, VW will aim to protect its newfound status with the updated Golf. Check out our \u2018five things you need to know\u2019 feature hereFor specialist VW car insurance, check out our sponsor, Performance Direct."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"VW dethrones Toyota as world\u2019s biggest seller","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/vw-dethrones-toyota-worlds-biggest-seller\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]