Frankfurt, 21 July 2008: Volkswagen said it achieved record global sales in the first half of the year due to strong demand in India, Russia and China, delivering nearly 3.3 million vehicles.

In the period from January to June 2008, Volkswagen saw the biggest increase in sales in India with a 69% increase, followed by Russia with 63% increase, and Ukraine with nearly 50% more deliveries.

The company said that Chinese deliveries also saw a 23% increase, while Brazil saw nearly 22% more vehicles delivered.

Overall, the car maker said its sales were up 5.8% compared to the same period last year.

"With our customer-oriented model diversity, and a consequent growth strategy, we were able to grow our global deliveries despite negative influences," Mr.Detlef Wittig, Volkswagen's Production Chief, said in a statement.

"We see more storm clouds gathering over the worldwide auto market," he said. "Nonetheless, with the strength of the brand and the model selection, we clearly developed better than the overall market," he added.

The Wolfsburg-based car maker said the company saw a 1.3% increase in deliveries at 1.84 million in Europe, while its home market of Germany saw deliveries rise 4% to 5,34,000 units.

However, the Europe's largest car maker, did not provide a breakdown for the North American market.

The company said its hallmark VW brand delivered 1.9 million vehicles in the first six months, nearly a 6% increase. Audi delivered 5,16,000 vehicles, a 1.4% increase; while Skoda delivered 3,67,000 vehicles, an 18% increase. Seat sold 2,06,000 vehicles - a decline of 7.5%.

The company delivered 2,64,000 commercial vehicles and trucks in the first six months of the year, a 13% increase. Meanwhile, the company's luxury brands also recorded growth during the period. Bentley delivered 4,700 cars; Lamborghini 1,300; and Bugatti 35, the company said.