Volkswagen Reports June 2004 Sales - Sales of Its New Fuel-Efficient and Advanced Diesels Go Up 46.3 Percent

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 1 -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. reported sales of 22,692 for the month of June compared to last year's sales of 25,808.

Despite the decline, the German automaker reported a significant increase in this June's overall sales of its models equipped with its high-tech diesel engines (called the TDI engine) that offer about 30 percent better fuel mileage over comparable models with gas engines. In total, Volkswagen sold 3,439 TDIs this past June as compared to June of 2003 when it sold 2,351 TDIs. This represents an increase of 46.3 percent.

Earlier this summer, Volkswagen introduced the 2004 Passat TDI, the most fuel-efficient midsize family car sold in the U.S. delivering a fuel rating of 38 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway and 27 mpg in the city.