Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday its global sales climbed 2.8 percent in the first nine months of this year, as the carmaker battles Volkswagen AG for leadership.

Worldwide deliveries for Toyota, including its Hino Motors Ltd. and Daihatsu Motor Co. units, climbed to 7.6 million vehicles through September, spokesman Dion Corbett said.

Volkswagen has reported sales of 7.4 million vehicles, excluding results for its two heavy-truck units.