Premium carmaker Volvo Cars has reported an 8.2 percent sales increase for the first six months of the year. Total sales in the first half of 2017 amounted to 277,641 cars, compared to 256,563 cars a year earlier.

Global retail sales for June were 54,351 cars, an increase of 5.7 percent compared to June 2016. Strong demand for the new 90 series cars continues to drive the sales performance, while the first-generation XC60 remains the best-selling model overall.

The Asia Pacific region reported sales growth of 27.3 percent in June to 13,769 cars. Sales in China, Volvo’s largest market, increased by 30.9 percent to 10,113 cars.

For the first six months, growth in the Asia Pacific region amounted to 22.6 percent, while China was up 27.6 per cent for the period. The result was supported by strong demand for the locally-produced XC60, S60L and S90 models.

First-half sales in the EMEA region were up by 6.6 percent to 164,128 cars sold, as the region continued to see strong demand for the new V90 and XC90 as well as the XC60. Strong performing markets include Sweden, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. June sales in the region were up 3.9 per cent.

The Americas region reported sales of 41,277 cars for the first six months of 2017, of which 34,102 in the United States. The most popular model in the region is the XC60, followed closely by the XC90.

XC60 best-seller worldwide 

Globally, the XC60 was the best-selling model in June with 16,905 cars sold (2016: 15,536), followed by the V40/V40 Cross Country with 9,434 cars sold (10,142). The XC90 was third with 7,972 sold cars (8,280).