VW March sales up 22.7% - Jetta Accounts For 62% of Total Sales

[xcel]

VW’s strongest sales month in seven years.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - April 3, 2011

2012 VW Passat – The 43 mpgUS highway and an approximate 1,300 + mile range between refueling (for us ) will be built in Chattanooga, TN at the newest, most advanced and environmentally responsible auto assembly plant in the world.

VW reported 27,176 units sold in March 2011, a 22.7 percent increase over March of 2010 sales. The company also announced 16,969 Jetta models sold – more than any other month in the companies US history.

The company sold 67,039 vehicles in the first quarter, a 15 percent increase over 2010. According to VW, TDI technology leads the charge but no TDI sales breakouts were provided. Volkswagen Golf sales increased 29% over the prior year while the CC and Tiguan models incurred gains of 16.9 and 12.5 percent respectively.

Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America:

“We have truly launched into 2011 with strong momentum. Not only did we enjoy the best Jetta sales month in company history, Volkswagen experienced the best overall sales month since 2004.”

The new Passat is VW’s largest midsize sedan that is said to be offered at a starting price of $20,000 when it arrives in dealer showrooms later this year. The 2012 Passat TDI is expected to deliver 43 mpgUS on the highway thanks in part to an all-new UREA injected SCR based CAT and an almost 20-gallon tank allowing an 800 mile range for just about anyone.

While the current Passat is all but a fading memory with only 38 units sold in total last month, the next generation’s fortunes are sure change rather swiftly once released.

Automobile Manufacturer's US Sales Rank - March 2011 vs. March 2010 and Totals

1. Ford up 19.6% to 212,777
2. GM up 9.6% to 206,621
3. Toyota down 5.7% to 176,222
4. Honda up 25.3% to 133,650
5. Chrysler up 31.4% to 121,730
6. Nissan up 26.9% to 121,141
7. Hyundai up 31.6% to 61,873
8. Kia up 44.7% to 44,179
9. Mazda up 33.3% to 30,905
10. VW up 22.7% to 27,176

[WriConsult]

I was at my mechanic's the other day with my Jetta. I was commiserating with the workers about VW reliability and repair costs, and one of them said, "Yeah, can't wait to see how those new $14,000 Jettas hold up," while rolling his eyes.