Dow Jones reports that Volkswagen AG is optimistic about a turnaround in the German passenger car market.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Citing VW executive Detlef Wittig as source, Dow Jones reported that the executive told investors earlier this week, “We expect it to pick up in the second half of this year.”

Speaking at a Deutsche Bank conference in Frankfurt, Wittig said a slew of new models to be launched in 2003, including the compact minivan Touran, should help drive consumers to the show rooms, Dow Jones reported.

In Germany car demand is being constrained by economic problems and weak consumer confidence. The umeployment rate recently hit a 5-year high (11%). The new car market declined by over 2% last year to 3.2 million units.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact