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Volkswagen Sales Up 33.8 Percent -- Best August Since 1974

2 September 1999

Volkswagen Sales Up 33.8 Percent -- Best August Since 1974

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 1 -- Volkswagen of America, Inc.
today reported its best August sales in a quarter century.
    In August, Volkswagen sold 32,389 new cars in the U.S., which represents a
33.8 percent increase over last year's mark of 24,208.
    For the year, Volkswagen is well ahead of last year's pace.  Year-to-date,
Volkswagen has sold 211,629 new cars, up 38.9 percent from the same period in
1998 when sales were 152,345.
    Volkswagen enjoyed its best month ever with New Beetle sales for August of
8,013, representing an increase of 8.4 percent over 1998's figure of 7,392.
For the year, New Beetle sales are up 70.5 percent.
    August also represented another strong sales month for Volkswagen's
midsize Passat sedan and wagon.  The Passat enjoyed its best August sales
month ever with 6,527 sold for the month.  This compares to last year's mark
of 3,753, an increase of 73.9 percent.
    Volkswagen's top-selling Jetta continued to enjoy a record breaking pace
for 1999.  Volkswagen sold 14,121 Jettas in August versus 1998's mark of
9,239, a 52.8 percent increase.  The Jetta remains America's best-selling
European nameplate.