Ingolstadt (Germany), Mar 13 (IANS): German car producer Audi AG posted record figures for production, shipments, revenue and earnings, despite the significant effects of the debt crisis in some countries and a contracting overall market in Europe.

In the past financial year, Audi sold more than 1.45 million automobiles and increased its revenue to 48.8 billion euros, Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of management of Audi AG, said at the company's annual press conference Tuesday.

The brand with four rings was also able to increase its operating profit to 5.4 billion euros, a record result in the company's history so far, Stadler said at the company's headquarters in Ingolstadt, a south German city, reported Xinhua.

In 2013, the company intends to continue its growth and gain additional customers. In addition, the Volkswagen Group subsidiary plans to recruit approximately 1,500 new employees in Germany alone, and will offer 700 young people an apprenticeship or traineeship.

In the coming three years, Audi will implement the biggest investment program in its history with a total volume of 11 billion euros, Stadler added.