Automaker Volkswagen AG said today its January global sales rose by 11 percent to a record high. The Wolfsburg-based company, Europe's biggest car maker in terms of sales, said it sold 485,000 cars worldwide in January, its biggest amount ever for that month. The company didn't give comparative figures and was not immediately available for comment.
"As a group, we are well positioned with our brands and our constantly expanding range of models and are entering the coming months with complete confidence," said Detlef Wittig, the company's sales and marketing chief.
By brand, the company said it sold 288,000 VWs, up 13 percent from last year; 79,000 Audis for an increase of 4.7 percent; and Skoda reported sales of 52,000, up 16 percent.
Seat said its sales fell 3 percent to 29,000, while Bentley sold 800 cars, an increase of 2.3 percent.
Lamborghini said its sales rose by 41 percent, with 200 cars, while Bugatti delivered three cars in January, down from five in January 2007.
In the United States, however, sales fell 8.8 percent to 21,000 cars sold. For all of North America, sales fell 10.3 percent to 37,000 cars sold.