(October 15, 2011) WOLFSBURG, Germany — In the first nine months of the year, the Volkswagen Group boosted deliveries by 13.9 percent to 6.11 million vehicles in world automotive markets. Deliveries in September also developed well for Europe's largest automaker with 751,900 vehicles handed over to customers.

Positive developments in growth markets continued including North America where Volkswagen reported January through September sales rose 21.4 percent over the same period in 2010 with 485,400 vehicles sold.

In South America, 700,900 vehicles were sold representing a 9.5 percent increase.

"We are very pleased with the development of the Group. Delivering six million vehicles in nine months represents a key milestone on the way to reaching our annual target of eight million vehicles sold in 2011," Group Board member for Sales Christian Klingler stated. "We are also expecting very good delivery figures for the fourth quarter. We continue to keep a close eye on developments in global automobile markets, some of which are highly volatile," Klingler added.

In Europe, Group brands recorded an increase of 10.8 percent to 2.77 million vehicles delivered in the period to September. In Western Europe (excluding Germany), 1.52 million customers took possession of a new vehicle. In its home market of Germany, Europe's largest automotive group grew deliveries by 12.3 percent to 864,400 (769,900) units.