In the first six months of 2011, the group delivered a total of 4.09 million vehicles, up 14.1% on the total of 3.58 million for the same period in 2010. This compares to a global market up by 6.1% in the same period. June also saw positive figures, with deliveries up 11.7% to 719,400 vehicles compared to 644,300 in June 2010.

Figures were up in North America, with deliveries up by 21.2% to 319,100 in the first half. During the same period, the group handed over 455,200 vehicles to customers in the South America region; up by 10.9%.

Within the Asia / Pacific sales region, vehicle deliveries were up +19.5% to a total of 1.26 million vehicles, of which 1.11 million units were delivered in China, up by 16.4%. The company reported further strong growth in India, where 55,100 vehicles were delivered – an increase of 217.2%.

In Europe, deliveries were up by 9.3% in the first half of the year, of which Western Europe (excluding Germany) saw an increase of 5.5% to 1.07 million deliveries. In its home market of Germany, the group was up by 9.3%, delivering 580,600 vehicles. However it was Central and Eastern Europe where the brands saw the strongest growth, with deliveries up 28.9% to 253,700 vehicles.

Looking ahead to the second half, Christian Klingler, group board member for sale, said: 'We are also confident we can perform better than the global automobile market during the second half of the year, thanks to our very convincing range of models.’

However, the group has not released a projection for the full year, saying: ‘Success in the second six months won’t be automatic. Plenty of hard work lies ahead to keep our deliveries during the second half of the year at a high level.’