VOW3 Volkswagen AG

   By Jessica Sier 
 

Volkswagen AG's Chinese sub-brand Jetta has achieved 1% market share in China, with coronavirus fears boosting demand for personal-car ownership, the company said Friday.

During April, Jetta sold 13,500 vehicles across one sedan and two SUV models, and since launch in September 2019, the sub-brand has delivered around 81,000 units to customers in the world's largest car market.

Despite the onset of coronavirus, which saw the Chinese car market contract 30% between January and February, Jetta has recorded a 12% fall in the first four months of this year, compared to the first four months from market entry in September to December 2019.

"Eight months after the brand's launch, Jetta now holds a 1% share of the world's largest automotive market," said Volkswagen in a statement.

"Due to the impact of Covid-19, the desire for personal car ownership has been rising in China, with customers now more motivated than ever to avoid crowded public or shared transportation."

Volkswagen's Jetta is targeting Chinese buyers in emerging cities seeking to own a car for the first time.

Write to Jessica Sier at jessica.sier@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 22, 2020 04:25 ET (08:25 GMT)

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