Top Indian automakers on Friday posted an increase in passenger and commercial vehicle sales for August, as optimistic dealers loaded up vehicles ahead of the festive season.

A patriotic call by China's bestselling automaker to band the industry together and "demolish the old legends" of the global market has gone viral, drawing both raves and a rebuke from a rival.

Germany's Volkswagen becomes the world's biggest-selling vehicle maker in the first half of the year, overtaking Toyota for the first time.