Berlin - Despite rising petrol prices, Europe's biggest carmaker, Volkswagen AG said Thursday that worldwide group sales rose 6.6 per cent in the first five months of the year.

The increase in deliveries between January and May this year compared to the same period in 2007 represented a new record for the German-based auto group.

Helping to power sales in Europe was a 18.6 per cent jump in Central and Eastern Europe. (dpa)