FRANKFURT (AP) -- German carmaker Volkswagen AG said Friday it was able to increase its global car market share during the first six months of the year despite difficult operating conditions.

The Wolfsburg-based company said its market share for the January-June period increased to 12 percent from 9.9 percent in the first six months of 2008, despite selling less cars because of the recession.

Volkswagen said that for the first six months it saw a 5 percent decrease in overall deliveries to 3.1 million compared with 3.3 million in the first six months of 2008. However, the overall car market's sales receded even faster -- nearly 18 percent -- during the same period.

Despite the decline for the whole of the first six months, Volkswagen said that in June it delivered 609,800 cars, up 6.5 percent from 572,700 in June 2008.

"The comparatively good development of our sales proves that Volkswagen is on the right path," Detlef Wittig, VW's production chief, said in a report.

"We're on target with these results. Still, great strides will be necessary during the second half of the year to stay on this path of success. The uncertainties of the market environment for the rest of the year remain," he said.

The company said its Volkswagen brand increased its market share most during the first six months, to 8 percent from 6.3 percent a year ago, with positive developments noted in Germany, Brazil, and China. It said the Golf, Tiguan, Scirocco, and Passat models were best-sellers.

VW said its Skoda, Seat and Audi brands also did well during the first six months.

Shares of VW ended up 2.5 percent at euro261.46 ($372) in Frankfurt.