CHIBA, Japan, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said on Wednesday that his company expects to sell a record 3.5 million of its Golf-brand cars in 2007.

"We've had a very good nine months. We sold 4.6 million cars and our worldwide growth was more than 8 percent," Winterkorn said at a media event at the Tokyo Motor Show.

"2007 will be a successful year, and we expect to sell 3.5 million Golfs in 2007. That is a new record," he added.

Volkswagen unveiled its new 'Space Up' small family car for the Asian market at the event.

Winterkorn did not comment on a European Union court ruling overnight that may leave Volkswagen open to a takeover by Porsche. The chairmen of both automakers were also present at the Tokyo event.

The European Union's highest court struck down a German law that shielded Volkswagen from takeover, paving the way for Porsche to take majority control of Europe's biggest carmaker.

The ruling is a major boost for the European Commission in its crackdown on so-called golden shares, or strategic stakes held by governments in listed companies.