Worldwide deliveries of Volkswagen AG-branded cars in September dropped 18.3% after the carmaker's sales in Europe suffered a 42.6% slump due to the transition to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure in the region.

The German car company delivered a total of 485,000 vehicles worldwide during the month, 108,700 units fewer compared to the same month a year ago.

The Volkswagen brand said the test procedure changeover at the start of the month had a massive effect in its home market of Germany, where deliveries fell 47.1% to 23,300 units compared to the year-ago month.

Deliveries in Western Europe fell 46.4% year over year to 73,100, while deliveries in central and Eastern Europe dropped 19.1% to 18,000.