Car and truck maker Volkswagen AG says it increased its light truck sales to Russia by 78 percent in 2008 despite the economic downturn.

The Wolfsburg, Germany-based company said Thursday it delivered 10,500 Caddy and T5 vans and Crafter delivery trucks. In 2007, VW delivered 5,905 such models.

Volkswagen says its most-sold truck in Russia was the T5 transporter van, which saw a 66 percent increase in sales last year to 5,406 vehicles. The smaller Caddy’s sales rose 72 percent to 3,619 vehicles. Crafter sales increased 166 percent to 1,476 vehicles.

VW says its Russian market share in the category of vehicles weighing up to six tons increased to 5 percent. VW says it held an 18.5 percent share of the market of imported light trucks in Russia, the most of any company.



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