CHANGCHUN, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Volkswagen Group China reported a small decline in car sales in China in the first six months of 2019, the company announced Thursday.

The company, along with two joint ventures -- SAIC Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen -- delivered over 1.42 million automobiles to Chinese consumers in the first half of this year, slightly less than the 1.48 million during the same period in 2018.

The sales of SUVs reached 325,400, accounting for 22.8 percent of the total vehicles delivered, the company said.

According to Stephan Wollenstein, CEO of Volkswagen China Passenger Cars Brand, the company is planning to launch five new models and five new energy versions of the current models by the end of this year.

Volkswagen is an automotive manufacturing company in Europe, with 12 vehicle brands, including Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley, delivered to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide.