Volkswagen records 2011 sales increase

German car giant Volkswagen said today that it saw sales of more than eight million vehicles last year, putting it ahead of Japan's Toyota.

Germany's dapd news agency cited Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn as saying in Detroit that VW had delivered 8.156 million vehicles in 2011, a 14% rise over the previous year.

Toyota has reported sales of 7.9 million vehicles in 2011, while General Motors has not yet reported. However, it is expected to have sold some nine million based on projections from the first three quarters.

Mr Winterkorn is holding a press conference later in the day at the Detroit Auto Show to release full figures.

Volkswagen's brands include Audi, Skoda and Seat.