For the first month of 2013, the brand saw a 10.6% rise in deliveries in North America to 43,800 units compared to 39,600 for January 2012. The largest market was the US, where the brand handed over 29,000 (27,200 for January 2012) vehicles, representing an increase of 6.7%.

Deliveries were slightly down however in South America, with a dip of 2.0% to 63,100 units (64,300), of which 46,100 units were handed over in Brazil, up by 5.1% from 43,800 for the same period last year.

A substantial 43.7% increase was seen in the Asia-Pacific region, where the brand handed over 251,100 (174,700) vehicles last month, of which 235,000 (159,900; up by 47.0%) units were delivered in China (incl Hong Kong), the region’s largest single market.

VW said the later date for the Chinese New Year helped lead to the jump in deliveries last month but added that a decline is expected for February.

In  contrast, Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 4,600 (5,800; down by 19.9%) in India vehicles in January.

Sales in Europe also remained difficult and deliveries for this region fell 6.8% to 16,900, compared to 125,500 for January 2012.

The decline was particularly pronounced in Western Europe (excluding Germany), where deliveries were down 12.3% at 60,600 (69,100 for January 2012).

The effects of the downturn were also felt by VW in its home market of Germany, with the brand reporting a 3.9% decline in deliveries to 38,100 (39,600) compared with an overall decline of 9% for car sales in this region.

In contrast, the brand grew deliveries in Central and Eastern Europe, with deliveries of 18,200 vehicles, up by 8.8% from 16,800 for the first month of 2012.

Volkswagen deliveries in Russia increased 7.2% to 10,000 units (9,300).

Most successful results were seen outside Europe, with North America

Developments outside Europe were more positive. In the North America region,