Volkswagen Fails To Deliver In October - Sales Plunge 18% For Month

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 28,129 units delivered in October and 342,962 units year-to-date, down 18 percent for the month. Adjusted for models in run-out, Volkswagen’s year-to-date pace would be on par with the prior year-to-date pace.

“After more than doubling our sales over the past three years, it is a significant recognition of the strength of our products that we are on course to close out a second consecutive year with over 400,000 vehicles delivered for the first time in 40 years,“ said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America.

Now operating at a new plateau, Volkswagen is seeing a consistent stream of accolades, not only for products, but for interaction with customers -- through compelling advertising and effective website management. Beyond sales figures, awards like these are a further proof point that the brand has gained a significant foothold in the US market.

Volkswagen’s award-winning commercials have found themselves atop another list. Ace Metrics named Volkswagen’s “Choose Wisely,” ad at the top of its list for “Funniest Ads of 2013.” “Top Down Day,” a Volkswagen ad promoting the new Beetle convertible, also made the top ten list, ranking number seven. Volkswagen was the only automaker in the top ten. Volkswagen has also proven successful in reaching consumers on their mobile devices, JD Power and Associates ranked the newly redesigned mobile.vw.com 6th overall among 33 automakers. The 2013 Automotive Mobile Site Study examines the features and content of automotive manufacturer mobile websites and their usefulness in the vehicle-shopping process.

The Chattanooga-built Passat continues as a core model with 7,258 units delivered. In October the Passat TDI, the only clean diesel in the midsize sedan segment delivered 2,416 clean diesels, representing 33.3 percent of its sales mix.

Total Jetta deliveries (including SportWagen) for October accounted for 10,161 units. The Jetta Turbo Hybrid continues to attract consumer interest with 666 deliveries in October.,

Total Beetle deliveries for October were 2,555 units, a 4.8 percent increase versus the prior year. The Tiguan sold 2,153 units. Total sales of the Golf (including Golf R and GTI) were 2,249. The Touareg sold 549 units.

Volkswagen’s high-mileage, TDI® Clean Diesel models accounted for 24.2 percent of sales in October, and 22 percent year-to-date, the best year-to-date on record.

WelcomeLexusIS - 11/1/2013 1:33:45 PM

+4 Boost

This is very disappointing news for VW.

MattDarringer - 11/1/2013 3:40:57 PM

+3 Boost

VW still does not understand the North American market. They think Germany knows best. The Jetta needed a reskin by now. The Passat needed a styling update for 14. The CC needs to be SuperPassat Toyota Avalon competitor. The Tiguan needs to be replaced by a VW Rav4. The CrossBlue needed to be on the market 5 years ago. The Toerag needs to stay home. The Polo and Up need to be sourced from China for the sticker price wars. VW needs to control prices. Why can't a person get a Jetta S TDI? Because VW wants to price gouge every TDI it sells. Why is the Jetta Hybrid not a mileage star rather than an also ran? VW is just now rolling out TSI in the states but it's had TSI for a decade in Europe. Ford liked the idea, called it Ecoboost and appeared like the leaders. VW also needs to sharply improve quality and reliability which may be fine for Europe but is purely second-rate against Honda, Toyota, Hyundai/Kia, and Ford in the USA. Why doesn't VW have a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty? Because it would bankrupt them. Where is the Amarok? Missing in action. The Skoda Yeti would be a smash success. MIA. Why is there no affordable mid-engined sportscar? All the components are there to pull it off the Polo, but VW has no vision. Now factor in that VW in Europe is like GM before the loss of Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, and hummer. VW will implode if it does not get a clue.

iamdabest1 - 11/3/2013 8:43:24 PM

+2 Boost

what the hell happened to the routan ??! damn that thing is selling poorly..