VW Group Sales Rose 2% in August

Volkswagen Group's global sales rose to 740,500 units last month from 729,900 in August 2013 as volume for the year to date grew nearly 6% to 6.5 million units.

Audi sales climbed 11% to slightly more than 1 million vehicles in January-August, led by gains of 16% (to 364,100 units) in China and 15% (to 116,100 units) in the U.S.

Eight-month sales for Porsche advanced 12% to 119,800 cars and crossovers also led by strong demand in Asia Pacific (+12% to 106,800) and the U.S. (15% to 31,400).

VW says deliveries of its SEAT and Skoda brand cars jumped 10% to 257,800 units and 13% to 678,500 units, respectively, in January-August.

The group's only bad news was in its commercial vehicle business, where 7% gains in western Europe and Germany were offset by sharper declines elsewhere. Total volume for the unit dropped 4% to 287,500 in the first eight months of 2014. Results don't include sales by VW's MAN and Scania affiliates.