Volkswagen Group India, a part of Volkswagen AG has recorded an increase of 180.72 per cent in its sales at 53,341 vehicles for the period January to December 2010, comprising its brands Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen.

The three brands together had delivered 19,001 cars in 2009, a company statement said.

During the year the car maker more than doubled the number of its employees to 4,537 from 2,116 in 2009, apart from expanding its dealerships to 163. ''This rise in the sales figures has just made us more confident of our acceptance in the Indian market,'' said Volkswagen Group Chief Representative India and President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited John Chacko.

He expects 2011 to be another positive year for the Volkswagen Group in India.

In 2010, the Volkswagen brand emerged as the largest selling brand of the Group in the period with sales figures of 30,319 vehicles in 2010 as against 2,801 cars sold in the year 2009, a big leap of over 500 per cent. Skoda sold 20,019 cars in 2010 as against 14,535 cars in 2009, a growth of 37.72 per cent, while Audi reported a growth of 81.12 per cent with 3,003 units sold in 2010 as against 1,658 units sold last year.