German carmaker Volkswagen AG says sales rose 11.9 per cent in July as demand in Asia and the United States outweighed slacker sales in crisis-hit western Europe. The company sold 468,300 vehicles worldwide during the month, up from 418,600 a year ago. Volkswagen said for the first seven months of the year, sales were up 10.4 per cent to 3.26 million, aided by increases in the Asia-Pacific region. The company sold 1.14 million cars in China over the period, up 15.2 per cent and ahead of Europe at 1.05 million.
Sales fell five per cent in western Europe excluding Germany. The eurozone crisis has weighed on growth, sending Italy and Spain into recessions while Greece, Portugal and Ireland have needed bailouts. -
