VW Brand Boosts Global Sales 12%

Volkswagen AG's namesake marque hiked worldwide sales of passenger vehicles to 504,800 units last month from 453,000 units in November 2011.

VW does not disclose monthly sales by country or region. But the company says November's rising demand in central and eastern Europe, China, South America and the U.S. more than offset declines in such European markets as Italy, France and Spain.

VW brand global sales have grown 11% to 5.22 million vehicles in January through November from the same period last year, including a 19% jump in China to 1.92 million units.

The company expects the VW brand to reach record-high sales this year, but it continues to call 2013 "challenging."