Berlin (Reuters) – Sales of Volkswagen battery electric cars have more than doubled in Europe in the first quarter, while they dropped more than a third in China, according to data published on Wednesday that illustrate the group’s mixed results on the VE market.

While the demand for electric vehicles resumes in Europe after several years of low growth, the Chinese market remains fiercely competitive, new local players specializing in the VE taking market share.

Total sales fell 7.1% in China, although the German manufacturer retains a large share of the combustion engines market, or 22%.

Mercedes-Benz and Porsche also recorded a drop in their sales in China.

Volkswagen said to expect a gradual increase in sales of its electric battery models in the coming months, carried by the launch of new versions of flagship vehicles such as ID.3 and ID.4X.

At the Shanghai Auto Show automobile show in April, Volkswagen will unveil the first series model of a new Audi brand, expected this year, as well as three VW models whose launch is scheduled for 2026.

In Western Europe, the Volkswagen vehicle orders, whether electric or with combustion engine, increased by 29% compared to last year.

Battery Vendles sales have increased sharply in Europe this year, despite a global market decline, according to data from the Association of European Automobiles (ACEA), supported by the new EU’s EU’s objectives and the launch of new models.

Sales in the United States increased by 6.2%, an increase which could reflect consumer anticipation in the face of the imminent entry into customs duties of 25% on imports of cars.

About two thirds of the VW brand sales come from vehicles made in Mexico, while all of the Porsche, Audi and Lamborghini models are imported from Europe, thus strongly exposing the group to the looming trade war.

(Written by Victoria Waldersee and Amir Orusov, Elena Smirnova, edited by Augustin Turpin)

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