Global sales of Volkswagen AG unit AUDI AG rose in July amid increased deliveries in Europe and China, supported by positive extraordinary effects in Europe.

Worldwide sales rose 7% year over year in July to 165,350 automobiles, while cumulative 2018 sales grew 4.8% to 1,114,650 vehicles compared to 1,063,211 in the same period a year prior.

"Audi is preparing itself rigorously for the future with new models and structures," said Bram Schot, interim CEO and board member for sales and marketing at Audi AG. "At the moment we feel a positive response to our models, but in the coming months the largest model initiative in our history and the switch to WLTP proves demanding," Schot said, referring to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure.

Sales in Europe rose 14.3% year over year in July to 79,250 vehicles as deliveries to top markets Germany and the U.K. increased 37.5% and 5.5%, respectively. The region's 2018 cumulative sales dropped 1.8% to 518,700 vehicles.

Sales in mainland China and Hong Kong were up 3.8% at 53,191 vehicles in July. "As such, the company achieved its strongest July result ever in China," the company said. Cumulative 2018 sales there rose 17.6% to 359,781 vehicles.

Sales in the U.S. were up 2.1% year-over-year in July to 19,221 vehicles, and they edged 4.4% higher in the cumulative 2018 period with 127,163 vehicles sold.