Volkswagen posted record results in the first half of the year.

With five million vehicles, the group sold around 28 percent more than in the same period last year, which, however, had been affected by the Corona crisis, as VW announced on Thursday.

Sales rose by almost 35 percent to 129.7 billion euros, and operating profit of 11.4 billion euros even exceeded 10.0 billion euros in the first half of 2019.

The net profit in the first half of the year was 8.5 billion euros.

The premium brands Audi and Porsche developed particularly strongly, each setting a delivery record for the first half of the year, as Volkswagen also announced.

Due to the positive development, the group raised its forecast for the year as a whole.

The sales revenues would be “probably significantly” above the previous year's figure.

"The record result in the first half of the year is clear evidence of how strong our brands and how attractive their products are," said VW boss Herbert Diess.

“The premium business in particular did very well with double-digit returns, as did Financial Services.

Our e-offensive is also gaining momentum. "

However, Volkswagen warned of the "increased" risk of bottlenecks in the supply of semiconductors and delivery failures - impairments would be "expected more in the second half of the year".