Volkswagen Sales Up 4 Percent - Best May Since 1973 - Best Passat Month in History, Record May for Jetta

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 1 Volkswagen of America, Inc.
today reported its best May sales in 28 years and its best month overall since
1979.
    In May, Volkswagen sold 34,398 new cars in the U.S., which represents an
increase of four percent over last year's mark of 33,074.  Not since 1973 has
Volkswagen enjoyed May sales of this magnitude.
    May represented a milestone for Volkswagen's Passat model.  Volkswagen
sold 8,618 Passats this May versus 8,186 the previous year -- an all-time
record for the brand's family midsize sedan and wagon and a percentage
increase of 5.3.  The new Passat, which was restyled earlier this year, is the
best-selling German midsize sold in the U.S.
    Volkswagen's number-one selling Jetta model enjoyed May sales of 13,830
versus 2000's mark of 13,156, an increase of 5.1 percent and the best May in
the model's 21-year sales history.  The Jetta continues to be America's top
European model.
    Pre-summer sales of the German automaker's convertible offering, the
Volkswagen Cabrio, are off to a solid start.  With sales of 1,744, the Cabrio
posted an increase of 8.2 percent over last year's 1,612.
    The Golf model was up 11.7 percent for the month, with sales of 2,650
versus 2,372.  The New Beetle enjoyed its best month of the year so far with
sales of 6,949, off slightly (5.1 percent) from last year's record May of
7,320.
    For the year, Volkswagen has sold 138,651 versus 2000's record pace of
146,241.
    Volkswagen remains the nation's top-selling European brand.