Volkswagen Sales Continue To Impress - Up 22.4% In October

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 34,311 units sold in October, a 22.4 percent increase over prior year sales, a 35.6 percent year-to-date increase and the best October since 1972. In just 10 months of sales, this marks the best calendar year since 1973.

“In the wake of the East coast disaster, we would like to express our thoughts and concern for all affected,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “In light of the difficult aftermath of hurricane Sandy, the Volkswagen of America Foundation is providing aid in the form of a donation to the American Red Cross in order to help with the relief efforts. Despite over 25 percent of our dealers being impacted by the severe storm conditions, Volkswagen was able to increase sales by over 20 percent and deliver the best October in nearly 40 years – a testament to the resilience and strength of our dealer body.”

The Volkswagen of America Foundation announced yesterday that it would make an immediate donation of $500,000 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief to provide support for affected areas across the northeast. The donation will help cover costs of shelter, food, recovery and other assistance to families affected by the storm. Additionally, Volkswagen will provide matching funds to any employee donations made to the American Red Cross or the organization of their choosing.

The Volkswagen Passat, which was recently added to Consumer Reports recommended list, continues its successful year with 8,355 units sold in October.

Jetta sedan, including the enthusiast GLI model, remains the volume leader for Volkswagen with sales totaling 11,253 while Jetta SportWagen totaled 2,223. The Jetta turbo hybrid, which will go on sale later this year, recently achieved a Land Speed Record at Bonneville, posting 187 mph, a record speed for hybrid vehicles.

The Beetle continues to gain momentum with 2,439 units sold. The Beetle convertible will make its debut later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Golf/GTI/Golf R had total sales of 2,914 units. The Tiguan sold 2,752 units, the best October ever for the vehicle, while the Volkswagen Touareg sold 965 units, a 33.1 percent increase.

Volkswagen continued sales success with its TDI models, the Passat, Tiguan and Golf all had the best year-to-date sales ever with 75,779 TDIs sold, a 29.9 percent increase year-to-date.

cidflekken - 11/1/2012 1:50:35 PM

+4 Boost

So, I'd like to understand who is "impressed" with these sales numbers. It seems every month the same is said for VW's sales numbers. But VW has been a mainstream player in this country for decades and yet, as a whole, is barely able to muster total sales as a brand equal to sales numbers of the Toyota Camry. its' not like VW is a "niche" car company and, if anything, their cars continue to be more and more homogenized. On top of that, VW is the number two global brand, why can't they replicate that success in the US?

chewy - 11/1/2012 2:09:07 PM

-1 Boost

The key is impressive improvement over the past few years resulting in going from as little as 20,000 monthly sales to over almost 40,000 now. One can't get to 60-70,000 sales a month overnight without spending time at 40,000.

VW has not had the sales of its rivals because they have not really focused on the US market until recently. The new US plant and US spec models is the first proper step in the direction of higher sales. Basically VW is doing what the Japanese did decades ago and what Koreans did more recently.

Agent009 - 11/1/2012 2:11:48 PM

-1 Boost

The American buyer is driven by price. VW until recently has always touted quality and technology over price. The tune has changed by lower the technology levels and therefore the price. Now you get a well built vehicle at a nice price point that isn't more technically advanced than the competition. Hence the increase in sales.

cidflekken - 11/1/2012 5:31:10 PM

+2 Boost

@chewy you missed the point. Yes, of course you can't make the change overnight. But as I stated initially, VW's been trying to be a major player for decades. And they have had focus on the US market for many years. The Golf, Jetta, Toureg, Passat have all been a staple in this market for a long time now. And even their individual sales are not "impressive".

chewy - 11/1/2012 7:26:03 PM

-2 Boost

None of those were US specific models created specifically for the US market and built here. The new ones are/will be priced/sized/contented close in line with competition.

Toyota has Corolla, Camry, Highlander, Tundra, Tacoma, Sienna, RAV-4, Matrix, Avalon, Venza, 4 Runner, FJ Cruiser. All of these vehicles are designed with the US/Canada market in mind and most are built here as well. Toyota has had this level of priority in the US for many years already.

VW has not. They actually were the number #1 import brand many years ago with the Bug but lost out to the Japanese brands that tailored themselves to the US market while VW sold vehicles that were more niche than the mainstream brands for many years.

VISO - 11/2/2012 4:47:37 PM

0 Boost

Basically, VW lost its way in the US going back to the 1970s when the Japanese automakers copied the VW model of bringing over good quality lower priced vehicles and VW went to sleep. I agree with you, they have had some very poor corporate decisions as related to the US market of the last 30 years. Only now under Martin Winterkorn have they started their resurrengence in this market.

HughJass - 11/2/2012 8:09:17 PM

+1 Boost

Look at those Passats fly off the lot.

HughJass - 11/2/2012 8:11:26 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry Chewy, I deboosted you by accident when I wanted to reply. Anyway, I assume your point is that the Passat is U.S. specific and built here for it. The other cars that have been here forever are built in Mexico, pretty darn close to here.