DETROIT, USA: The Volkswagen Group's global sales leapt 11.2 percent in 2012 to 9.07 million vehicles, the German company announced Sunday in the US city of Detroit on the eve of the North American International AutoShow.
The sales record for VW puts the group into a close third for global sales behind Japan's Toyota Motor Corp and US-based General Motors Co, according to the German press agency (DPA).
Toyota's sales worldwide are estimated at 9.7 million cars, with General Motors at 9.2 million, though neither company has yet issued 2012 sales figures. VW said it believes it will take the global sales lead by 2018.
Martin Winterkorn, VW managing chairman, said Volkswagen Group performed "extremely well in difficult conditions" in 2012.
VW's newest subsidiary, Porsche AG, reported global vehicle sales up 18.7 percent last year over its record-setting 2011 deliveries.
The German sports car company's 2012 sales exceeded 141,000 cars, up from nearly 119,000 a year earlier.
Matthias Mueller, Porsche president and chief executive, called it "the most successful year in our history."
Porsche became a Volkswagen Group brank in August.
Last week, VW's largest subsidiary brand, Audi, announced 2012 sales up 11.7 percent to 1.46 million cars.
VW officials refused to offer projections for 2013 sales but warned of difficult conditions particularly in the company's Western European home market, where the eurozone is back in recession. "Tough challenges lie ahead," Winterkorn said. (QNA)
