Segment reporting

Segments are identified on the basis of the Volkswagen Group’s internal management and reporting. In line with the Group’s multibrand strategy, each of its brands (operating segments) is managed by its own Board of Management. The Group targets and requirements laid down by the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG must be complied with. Segment reporting comprises four reportable segments: Passenger Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, Power Engineering and Financial Services. As a result of an internal management change as from January 1, 2019, light commercial vehicles of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand are no longer allocated to the Commercial Vehicles segment, but reported under the Passenger Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles segment. The prior-year figures have been adjusted accordingly.

The activities of the Passenger Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles segment cover the development of vehicles and engines, the production and sale of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and the corresponding genuine parts business. In the Passenger Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles reporting segment, the individual brands are being combined into a single reportable segment, in particular as a response to the high degree of technological and economic interlinking in the production network. Furthermore, there is collaboration within key areas such as procurement, research and development or treasury.

The Commercial Vehicles segment primarily comprises the development, production and sale of trucks and buses, the corresponding genuine parts business and related services. Just as in the case of the car brands, there is collaboration within the areas procurement, development and sales. The aim is to achieve further forms of interlinking.

The activities of the Power Engineering segment consist of the development and production of large-bore diesel engines, turbo compressors, industrial turbines and chemical reactor systems, as well as the production of gear units, propulsion components and testing systems.

The activities of the Financial Services segment comprise dealer and customer financing, leasing, banking and insurance activities, fleet management and mobility services. In this segment, combinations occur especially while taking into account the comparability of the type of services as well as the regulatory situation.

Purchase price allocation for companies acquired is allocated directly to the corresponding segments.

At Volkswagen, segment profit or loss is measured on the basis of the operating result.

In the segment reporting, the share of the result of joint ventures is contained in the share of the result of equity-accounted investments in the corresponding segments.

The reconciliation contains activities and other operations that by definition do not constitute segments. It also includes the unallocated Group financing activities. Consolidation adjustments between the segments are also contained in the reconciliation.

Investments in intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and investment property are reported net of investments in right-of-use assets from leases.

As a matter of principle, business relationships between the companies within the segments of the Volkswagen Group are transacted at arm’s length prices.

Allocation of sales revenue to the regions follows the destination principle.

The allocation of interregional intragroup transactions has been unitary presented according to the economic ownership regarding the segment assets.