BERLIN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Volkswagen Group reached record sales in 2012, delivering more than 9 million vehicles for the first time, said the German automaker on Monday.
In the full year of 2012, 9.07 million Volkswagen vehicles were delivered around the world, increasing by 11.2 percent over the previous year. December 2012 was also a strong month for the company, as it delivered 784,300 units, with an year-on-year increase of 20.7 percent.
"The Volkswagen Group developed extremely well in difficult conditions. 2012 was the best sales year ever, " said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of Volkswagen Group Board of Management.
According to Volkswagen, the "very satisfactory" development of markets in North America and Asia-Pacific had compensated the "difficult situation" on markets in Europe.
The number of vehicles handed over in the North America region in the 12-month period grew by 26.2 percent to 841,500 units, of which 596,100 were delivered in the United States.
In Asia-Pacific region, the group delivered 3.17 million vehicles to customers, an increase of 23.3 percent over the same period of 2011. Deliveries in China grew by 24.5 percent to 2.81 million units during the period to December.
In Western Europe, excluding Germany, however, Volkswagen's deliveries declined by 6.5 percent, to 1.85 million units. In the home market of Germany, the group grew deliveries by 1.9 percent to 1.18 million units.
"We are still keeping a vigilant eye on the future, because the present uncertainties will intensify this year, particularly in Western Europe. The markets are challenging and competition is also getting tougher," said Christian Klingler, Group Board Member for Sales.
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