German carmaker Volkswagen Group has reported 5.6% rise in its sakes during the initial four months of 2013 to 3.05 million units, compared to 2.89 million sold during the corresponding quarter in 2012.
The carmaker's European sales dropped by 3.9% during the period to 1.21 million vehicles over 1.25 million sold during January to April 2012.
Volkswagen Group board member for sales Christian Klingler said the group and its brands made a satisfactory start to the second quarter.
"Nevertheless, the market environment remains difficult, and is very challenging in some world regions," Klingler said.
"The economic crisis in Europe in particular is having an increasing impact on the automobile industry.
"However, growth continues on the markets in North America and, above all, Asia, so we are optimistic we will be able to maintain the momentum of the first three months in the second quarter."
During January to April 2013, Volkswagen sold 279,900 units in North America, up 12.9% compared to 247,900 units sold in the previous year, while South American sales dropped by 1.6% to 292,000 units.
Sales in the Asia-Pacific rose by 16.5% to 1.14 million in the period to April 2013, compared to 0.98 million units sold during the first four months of 2012.
