Volkswagen is third in global sales comparisons, behind Toyota and General Motors German carmaker Volkswagen has announced record 2012 sales hours before the official opening of the North American Auto Show in Detroit. The group has successfully dealt with an unfavorable business climate.German carmaker Volkswagen on Sunday night announced another leap in global sales, with 2012 revenues soaring by 11.2 percent year-on-year.
The group reported hours before the opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that it sold 9.07 million vehicles throughout last year, meaning a new annual record for VW and its string of subsidiaries.
The figures put Volkswagen in third position in global sales comparisons, behind Japan's Toyota and US-based General Motors (GM).
The firm said it aimed to secure the top spot in the table by 2018.
"Volkswagen performed extremely well in difficult conditions," the company's CEO, Martin Winterkorn, said in a statement, referring to unfavourable market conditions in Europe and particularly the crisis-stricken eurozone.
VW refused to offer projections for 2013 sales, but indicated it remained highly optimistic. "We won't let up in our efforts and intend to remain in the fast lane," Winterkorn commented.
Volkswagen said it was hopeful that sluggish European markets could again be compensated by a sales drive in the US, China and Russia.
Source: Deutsche Welle