Audi AG said global sales in 2008 surpassed the 1-million mark for the first time to defy a global trend.

Audi sold 1.0034 million cars worldwide in 2008, up 4.1 percent in 2007. A range of new models contributed to the boost in sales. In December,

Audi sales in west Europe in December last year rose 23 percent year-on-year to 53,900 units. Total sales in the region in 2008 inched up 2.5 percent to 667,000.

The Asia-Pacific region saw a 16 percent rise in sales in December to 14,000.

Audi sales in the United States in 2008 dropped 6.1 percent on year to 87,760, due to the financial crisis and economic recession.

Audi increased its turnover in 2008 amid the downturn in global automobile sales. In December 2008, car sales in the US dropped 36 percent over November level, while those in in Britain and Germany fell 21 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

With the challenges inherent in 2009, the Philippines will remain a strong market for luxury automobiles.

?We have had strong sales in the past months and in coming months, growth would continue, Audi will continue to draw on this strength in the difficult year of 2009. We have ambitious long-term goals: We want to make Audi the most attractive premium brand in the country,? said Benedicto Coyiuto, Audi director and group head of Audi Center Philippines.

He added that while the global meltdown affected the industry worldwide, ?Audi is the only premium brand that booked rising sales last year.?