Audi posts record sales in May

(CBS News/AP) Volkswagen's luxury brand, Audi, reported record sales for May thanks to a big boost from China. The company said Monday that Chinese sales rose 44.2 percent compared to the same month a year ago. The A8 fullsize four-door luxury sedan and the locally-built Q5 compact crossover SUV both contributed strongly to the increase in China.

Worldwide sales for Audi rose by a record 13.7-percent. Like other car manufacturers, including BMW and Mercedes Benz, strong Chinese sales fueled the record increase.

The results from China helped both companies post record sales in May. Audi was up 13.7 percent worldwide to 128,900 vehicles and BMW AG saw global sales rise 6.4 percent to 156,957.  North American sales also contributed to the company's sales increases.

"The current order intake proves that for the first half of the year, we will exceed our expectations in all regions," sales chief Peter Schwarzenbauer was quoted as saying.