The ongoing diesel-emissions scandal continues to affect Volkswagen sales, but not in every market.

In March, sales once again fell in the U.S. and VW's home market of Germany—but they were largely unaffected in China.

Even an adequate performance in the world's largest new-car market couldn't stop total global Volkswagen sales from slipping, though.

DON'T MISS: VW Sales In U.S., Europe Slammed By Diesel Emission Scandal (UPDATED)

Global VW sales were down 0.2 percent in March with a recorded 967,100 sales, reports the Associated Press.

That included declines of 3.7 percent in the U.S., and 2.5 percent in Germany.

Sales also dropped in Brazil, although the country's weak economy was likely as much of a factor in that as the diesel scandal.

2016 Volkswagen Passat

2016 Volkswagen Passat

Meanwhile in China, sales increased by 4.0 percent, to 328,000 units.

U.S. sales in particular have been hurt not only by the damage to Volkswagen's reputation, but also by the withdrawal of its TDI diesel models from showrooms.

These previously comprised up to 25 percent of VW sales in this country.

ALSO SEE: Can VW, agencies meet April 21 diesel-fix deadline? EPA head not sure

Volkswagen continues to face the ire of customers, dealers, and government officials as it struggles to find a way to address nearly 600,000 cars in the U.S. found to have "defeat device" software.

The company and regulators missed a March 24 deadline set by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer to agree on a plan that would satisfy regulators.

It's possible that the group will miss an upcoming April 21 deadline as well.

2016 Volkswagen Jetta

2016 Volkswagen Jetta

VW began recalling certain diesel models in Germany in January, but that process is now at a standstill as well.

Earlier this month, a recall of 160,000 Passat mid-size sedans was halted, reportedly because the proposed fix was found to reduce fuel economy.

Volkswagen denied this, claiming the recall was stopped because Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) wanted to conduct additional checks.

MORE: The other VW diesel victims: dealers take woes to Wolfsburg

Despite the lack of progress on a diesel recall and the decline in sales, VW's U.S. dealers believe the company still must aim for a sales increase this year.

Executives predicted earlier this year that U.S. sales could at best hold steady at around 330,000 units, but Alan Brown, chairman of the Volkswagen National Dealer Advisory Council, recently said the company should aim for 500,000 U.S. sales by 2018.

That could be achieved if Volkswagen will commit to providing larger numbers of the Tiguan crossover, Brown and other dealers claim, along with the upcoming 2017 Golf Alltrack wagon that they feel will be a direct competitor to Subaru all-wheel-drive wagons.

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