Europe’s largest automaker Volkswagen - first half sales exceed 4 million cars

Europe’s largest automaker Volkswagen said global first-half deliveries exceeded 4 million cars and sport-utility vehicles for the first time, powered by demand in all markets.

Germany-based company the Wolfsburg said, sales at VW’s namesake car division rose 12% in the first six months of the year to 2.53 million vehicles.

Deliveries in June gained 9.8 percent to 438,500 vehicles. The manufacturer will release sales figures on July 15 for all its brands including the Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini marques.

Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn said “Volkswagen continues to stay on the accelerator in all markets and vehicle segments.”

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VW is counting on growth in Brazil, Russia, India and China to help surpass Toyota Motor Corp. as the world’s biggest carmaker no later than 2018. It has forecast its global sales will increase 5% this year after posting a record 7.2 million deliveries of cars, SUVs and vans in 2010.

The German manufacturer said that it will expand third-quarter production of the VW Golf hatchback and Tiguan compact SUV at its main factory in Wolfsburg to meet strong order growth. VW will maintain reduced shift production during worker’s three week summer vacation at two German plants and add several weekend shifts following the summer break.