Diesel Sales Still Strong But Volkswagen Sales Crater By 10.3% In April

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 33,644 units delivered in April, a 10.3 percent decrease over prior year sales.

“While it was a challenging month, particularly in the compact and midsize sedan segments, we remain solidly focused on our long term growth strategy,” said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “In spite of segment challenges with robust competition, the Jetta sedan and Passat showed strength in April and so far this year.”

Jetta sedan, the volume leader for Volkswagen, delivered 11,110 units. Jetta SportWagen closed the month with 1,968 units.

The Chattanooga-built Passat continued to deliver strong results with 9,069 units sold. Over 30 percent of the Passat’s sold were TDI® Clean Diesels. Last week, Volkswagen announced it will begin offering a new, value-oriented Wolfsburg Edition later this spring. Building on the well-equipped S model, the Passat Wolfsburg Edition adds distinctive 16-inch alloy wheels, perforated V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, satellite radio, and a Media Device-Interface (MDI) with an iPod® cable. The 2013 Passat Wolfsburg Edition is priced at $23,495, and will go on sale in late spring.

The Beetle and Beetle Convertible delivered 1,980 and 1,699 units, respectively, for the month. The Beetle R-Line® Coupe is due to arrive in showrooms in early May, with a 210-horsepower turbocharged engine, an increase of 10 horsepower over the current Beetle Turbo with an anticipated fuel economy improvement.

The Tiguan saw a significant increase in sales with 2,488 units sold, marking the best year-to-date ever for the vehicle.

Total sales of the Golf (including Golf R and GTI) were 2,607 units.

Volkswagen’s high-mileage, TDI® Clean Diesel models accounted for 21.7 percent of sales in April, and 21.5 percent for the year, the best year-to-date ever.

atc98092 - 5/1/2013 12:48:35 PM

+2 Boost

I think that at least some VW customers are moving to Audi or other brands because of decontenting. That's probably what I will be doing, as I want a diesel crossover, and the Tiguan won't have one in the near future. I can't get a new Tiguan equipped as well as my current 2011 model, and I'm not going to step backwards.

nguyenvuminh - 5/1/2013 1:58:07 PM

+1 Boost

VW is running directly into the headwind of Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia. Price does matter in this segment, as it should be.

atc98092 - 5/1/2013 6:36:27 PM

+1 Boost

As a VW owner and having driven a KIA, no, I would not cross-shop the two. Haven't looked at any of the rest, so I won't comment on them.

Agent009 - 5/1/2013 7:20:32 PM

+1 Boost

Well cheaper Passat sales are down and more expensive CC sales are up...go figure

PQ40 - 5/2/2013 8:03:15 AM

+3 Boost

Toyota showed the same trend camery sales were down, and Avalon sales are way up. Except Toyota had smaller loses, and there volume is about 3 to4 times higher.