Audi AG says sales in China rose 13 percent year on year in September to 51,614 vehicles as demand for the Q3 and Q5 crossovers remained robust.

For the first nine months of the year, Volkswagen AG's luxury brand increased its China sales 16 percent to a record 415,704 vehicles.

"This result clearly demonstrates our market leadership as the premium brand in China", said Luca de Meo, Audi board member for sales and marketing.

The Q3 and Q5, which are produced in China, accounted for nearly one-third of Audi's China sales for the year through September. In months to come, Audi expects an additional sales boost from the A3 sedan, which the company began producing this summer at its new assembly plant in Foshan.

Audi's two rivals, BMW AG and Daimler-Benz, have not yet posted September sales in China.