Operating profit inched up 0.1 billion euros to 13.9 billion last year, the Wolfsburg-based group said in preliminary results, released unexpectedly ahead of its March 12 annual earnings press conference.

 

Meanwhile the sprawling 12-brand conglomerate increased unit sales by 0.9 percent to 10.8 million vehicles, a new yearly record — powering annual revenues up 2.7 percent at €235.8 billion.

 

Chief executive Herbert Diess hailed a “good showing in 2018, especially against the background of the switch to WLTP”, new emissions tests that proved a massive bottleneck for the whole industry from their introduction in September.

 

VW was particularly happy to hit the high end of its profit margin target, at 7.3 percent — slightly down on 2017's level. But the group said it also spent €3.2 billion — the same amount as the previous year — in one-off costs related to its 2015 admission to cheating on regulatory tests for 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide.

 

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VW's preliminary results release came on the same day as a non-binding opinion from the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), Germany's highest tribunal, on claims against the firm over manipulated vehicles.

 

Senior judges leaned towards backing customers' claims against Volkswagen, potentially pointing the way for future deliberations in lower courts over the 2.4 million such cars sold in Germany.

 

Despite the legal risks and the costs of a massive push for new electric and hybrid models, the supervisory and executive boards proposed an increased dividend of 4.80 euros per share, up from 3.90 for 2017.

 

Looking ahead to 2019, the group said it would “slightly exceed” last year's unit sales figure despite challenges from a slowing economy, intensifying competition and volatile exchange rates.

 

Revenues should increase by up to 5.0 percent year-on-year and operating profit between 6.5 and 7.5 percent, bosses forecast.

 

Investors appeared unmoved by the positive results announcement, with VW shares shedding 0.64 percent to trade at €145.64 late Friday afternoon in Frankfurt.