Of that 580k total sold, 438k were Volkswagens and 139k were Audi products – increases of 35.1 percent and 18.5 percent, respectively, in year-over-year sales. The ultra-premium members of the VW group also fared well; Bentley delivered 2,315 vehicles for a 23.3-precent increase, and Lamborghini delivered 520 units for a 52.9-percent jump. Bugatti, we're told is "right on track."

Jetta (pictured) sales paced the marque with 170k models sold, and Passat also finished very strong with sales of 117k total. Tiguan also racked up its best year on file, with 31,731 models shifted.

The company expects what it is calling "moderate growth" for the 2013 sales year ahead, though perhaps not at so blistering a rate as it racked up in 2012. Scroll down to read the official Volkswagen press release.