Wolfgang Bernhard, head of Volkswagen's VW brand group, has confidently predicted an upturn in car sales across the US.

After a recent slump in sales, Mr Bernhard told reporters that he believes the US has "turned a corner", with sales now more likely to show good growth than for some time.

Speaking while visiting the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, he added: "I am very confident we will see rising car sales in the United States."

VW's American experience has been as disappointing as any car maker's in recent times, as the slump in the US car industry saw the American division of the firm post an operating loss of €907 million in 2004, and the company has already posted another big loss in 2005.

But despite these setbacks, Mr Bernhard believes that the industry will see an upturn in sales before too long, and if these predictions are proved correct, this will be welcome news for car firms across the world.

The news comes as VW also suggested a strong interest in demand for diesel, affirming comments from platinum producer Angloplat, which earlier this month claimed that diesel could be about to grow massively in the US.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd