The Volkswagen Group started 2010 with robust unit sales growth, delivering 538,500 vehicles to customers in January, up 41.3 per cent from the same month last year, the car maker said.

Compared with the overall world market (which has witnessed growth of 22.3 per cent), the group holds a significant edge over its competitors. The low level of deliveries in the weak month of January 2009 was also a contributory factor in the strong rise.

In Germany, the group brands delivered 71,800 vehicles (up 34.6 per cent) in January, of which the Volkswagen core brand sold 44,100 passenger cars (up 49.5 per cent) on its home market. Audi also reported an increase with deliveries rising 9.3 per cent to 11,700) units.

In the US, the group reported growth of 40.1 per cent in January, delivering 24,600 vehicles. This meant the company performed appreciably better than the overall market (+6.3 per cent).

The number of vehicles sold by the group in China again rose significantly during the first month of the current year, almost doubling compared with January 2009 to 166,900 deliveries.

Group brands sold 242,800 vehicles on the overall European market in January, a marked increase of 32.6 per cent, with the rise in western Europe even higher, running at 39.1 per cent.

VW passenger cars reported an encouraging start to the year: The core brand sold 359,300 vehicles worldwide in January. The Golf was by far the most popular, with global deliveries amounting to 45,600 units, followed by the Polo with 40,200 units. The brand reported a strong rise in China, the largest individual market, where 135,200 units were delivered.

Audi defended its position in January, selling 77,800 vehicles worldwide. The brand from Ingolstadt delivered 16,800 units in China, the strongest market. The bestselling model was the A4 sedan, with 15,400 units delivered.

Seat sold 24,300 vehicles during the first month of the current year and was particularly successful on the volume markets in western Europe. On its home market Spain, Seat delivered 6,300 units. The Ibiza is currently the most successful, with the company delivering 12,700 units worldwide.