VW Global Sales Climb 17%

Volkswagen AG's namesake marque sold 491,000 passenger vehicles worldwide last month compared with 419,100 units in January 2011.

VW brand deliveries across Europe slid 7% year over year to 116,900 vehicles in January. Volume dipped 2% to 63,100 units in South America despite a 5% increase to 46,000 units in Brazil.

The brand's sales climbed 11% to 43,800 vehicles in North America last month. Registrations also grew in Asia Pacific (+44% to 251,100 vehicles), including a 47% surge to 235,000 units in China. VW expects that pre-holiday phenomenon to reverse this month.

The company's Audi brand reported a 16% jump in global sales to 111,800 vehicles last month.