The group also reported growth for the month of December, delivering 545,400 (444,200)** units to customers, representing an increase of 22.8%.

Volkswagen said that sales showed a clear positive trend in established markets and in growth regions, especially Asia. Deliveries in China grew 37.4% to reach a record total of 1.92 (1.40) million units. In India, the group handed over 53,300 (19,000) vehicles to customers, a rise of 181%. There was also reported a marked increase throughout the Asia/Pacific region, with deliveries running at 2.14 (1.55; +38.5%) million units.

The Volkswagen Group also delivered a total 888,000 (815,100) vehicles to customers in South America, representing an increase of 8.9%. In the USA, the group brands delivered 360,300 (298,000) units during the 12-month period, corresponding to growth of 20.9%.

In Western Europe (excluding Germany), the group delivered 1.85 (1.66; +11.6%) million vehicles, outperforming the overall market, which only grew 1.9% for the year. And a total of 10.8% more vehicles were delivered to customers in Central and Eastern Europe (423,200; 381,900). The Group’s growth in Russia was very pleasing (+39.5 per cent).

Looking at individual brands, Volkswagen Passenger Cars reported a new record for last year, with deliveries growing 13.9% to 4.50 (3.95) million units. In China, the brand’s largest single market, deliveries rose by 35.5% to 1.51 (1.12) million units. In the USA, 256,800 (213,500; +20.3%) vehicles were handed over to customers. In Russia, vehicle deliveries even grew year-on-year by as much as 49.1% (58,900; 39,500).

Sales at Audi rose 15.0% to 1.09 million vehicles to customers in 2010, giving the Ingolstadt-based brand its best sales figures ever. One contributory factor was deliveries to customers in the USA, where Audi sold more than 100,000 units for the first time (101,600; 82,700; +22.9%). Developments in China over the past 12 months were also very positive, with deliveries increasing by 43.4% (227,900; 158,900).

Skoda delivered 762,600 (684,200; +11.5%) vehicles during the last 12 months. The brand grew in China, India and Russia in particular.

SEAT delivered 339,500 (336,700; +0.8%) vehicles worldwide in 2010. In its home market of Spain, the company reported an increase of 10.0%, delivering a total of 91,300 (83,000) units to customers.

Worldwide deliveries by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles grew noticeably last year, up by 20.5% to 435,600 (361,500) units. On West European markets (excluding Germany), the company grew 21.0% to 130,400 (107,800) units, in Russia deliveries grew 27.8% (7,200; 5,700), and in South America growth was as high as 67.4% (113,700; 67,900).