Volkswagen sales were up 12.5% to 2.95m globally in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period last year, the company reported.

Sales in July grew 17.2% to 419,000 from 357,600 in the same month last year.

Year-to-date sales in Europe were up 8.1% to just over 1m units. In Germany, sales climbed 8.5% to 352,700. The brand doubled deliveries in Russia to 56,500 vehicles and in Asia-Pacific, sales were up 15.9% to 1.1m.

The company notes that its performance in North America, where the brand delivered 280,900 cars, a 22% increase, “were also very encouraging” while in South America sales grew 7.5% to 444,100 units.