DETROIT (Michigan) - GERMAN automaker Volkswagen set a sales record in 2008 and expanded its market share in key markets the United States and Germany despite a global economic crisis, it said on Sunday.

And the company is aiming for another banner year in 2009, said executives at the North American International Auto Show, where VW unveiled its first two-seater roadster with much glitz and fanfare.

'We have kept our promise,' said chair Martin Winterkorn. 'The Volkswagen Group delivered more vehicles than ever before in the difficult year of 2008.

'With growing shares on the world market and major single markets, including Germany and the USA, we expanded our position further.

'This shows that our group's multi-brand strategy is paying off and our young and attractive model range is popular with customers all over the world.'

VW sold 6.23 million vehicles worldwide last year, up 0.6 per cent.

In Germany, VW delivered 1.06 million vehicles, up 0.4 per cent from the previous year, while the overall market fell 1.8 per cent. At the same time, VW's market share grew slightly to 33.6 per cent.

In China, VW sold 1.02 million vehicles or 12.5 per cent more than in 2007, while its sales in Brazil increased 8.9 per cent to 633,000 vehicles.

Sales in Russia and India doubled.

Although 2008 was one of the toughest years for a long time in the United States, VW, which is opening a new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, nevertheless had 'a good year' here.

VW sold 314,500 vehicles in the United States, down 4.5 per cent from the previous year, but the company 'held its ground well in the downturn of the overall market,' which declined 18 per cent in the steepest decline in 29 years and to the lowest level since 1992.

'We all know 2009 will be a very difficult year for our industry,' said Mr Winterkorn, with overall sales predicted to fall further and consumer confidence very low.

But 'the automobile will always be an integral part of the US way of life,' he said, indicating VW's commitment to grow its US sales.

With dancers, models and children handing out flowers, VW unveiled its Concept BlueSport roadster, but will not produce the diesel-powered sportscar likely until the economy recovers.

'When we make a decision, it will be (in production) three years later,' Mr Winterkorn told AFP.

VW boasts the BlueSport, which at a glance resembles the Porsche Boxter in a nod to VW's new owner, can reach speeds of 100 kilometres per hour in just 6.6 seconds, but consumes only 4.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

German luxury sportscar maker Porsche announced last week it had taken over Volkswagen, the biggest European car manufacturer, after purchasing more than 50 per cent of VW shares.

Porsche said that by buying new VW shares, it 'will thus increase its participation to 50.76 per cent' of the group's capital, compared with 42 per cent before.

VW said in August that it had overtaken Ford to become the world's third biggest automaker behind General Motors and Toyota. -- AFP