Volkswagen, the German carmaker, is hoping to lift sales in North America by more than 50 per cent over the next three to four years with a new product offensive, according to the Financial Times. Bernd Pischetsrieder, VW's new management board chairman, said the group could achieve unit sales of 750,000 a year in the United States in the medium term. The aggressive target compares with last year's group total of almost 490,000 units in North America, of which the VW brand accounted for 356,000. Speaking in London, Pischetsrieder said the US growth would be driven principally by VW's launch of its new Touareg sports utility vehicle (SUV) and an all-new "multi-purpose vehicle" or minivan designed for the U.S. market.