Volkswagen Middle East is currently experiencing an upbeat year to date, driven especially by the launch of three new models in 2009; the Passat CC, Scirocco and the Golf VI, said company officials.

“Despite the current economic challenges, Volkswagen Middle East is continuing to have a positive outlook on 2009,” mentioned Mona El-Mahdi, public relations manager at Volkswagen Middle East.

“We will be launching the new Golf GTI, the global market leader in the high-performance section of its class, in the region in the second half of the year, which we are confident will be well received in our markets.”

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Group, Europe’s largest automaker, has extended its market share of world passenger car in the first six months of 2009 by 12 per cent as compared to the same period of 2008.

A total of 3,100,300 vehicles were delivered to customers during this period. The overall passenger car market, on the other hand, contracted by 17.7 per cent. In June, deliveries by the Group even rose by 6.5 percent to 609,800 (572,700) units.

“The comparatively good trend in our sales figures shows that the Volkswagen Group is headed in the right direction,” said Detlef Wittig, executive vice president, Group Sales and Marketing.

“Everything is running to plan. Nevertheless, a major effort is needed in the second half of the year if we are to remain on course. Economic uncertainty will continue as the year progresses,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service