Europe’s biggest carmaker Volkswagen on Tuesday reported a solid gain in global sales during the first half of the year thanks to strong demand in Asia and the United States. Worldwide deliveries of Volkswagen’s flagship VW brand climbed to 2.91 million cars between January and June — a rise of 4.4 per cent compared with the same period last year.

VW sales and marketing chief Christian Klingler warned that the group is likely to face tougher times during the second half of the year.

“The challenges on difficult global markets, especially the considerable uncertainties in Europe, will undoubtedly continue to have a significant impact in the second half of the year,” he said in a statement.

Signs of the problems ahead emerged in June with worldwide sales growing by just 0.5 per cent compared with the same month last year.

European sales slumped by 7.1 per cent during the first half of the year, the carmaker said.

This, however, was offset by a 17.3 per cent rise in deliveries to the Asian-Pacific region and a 3.9 per cent increase to North America.

Deliveries to world’s biggest car market, China, rose by 19.4 per cent during the first half of the year.

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