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Volkswagen Sales Up 52.3 Percent - Best Jetta and Passat September

4 October 1999

Volkswagen Sales Up 52.3 Percent - Best September Since 1974 - Best Jetta and Passat September Ever

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 1 -- Volkswagen of America, Inc.
again recorded strong double-digit growth, reporting its best September sales
results in a quarter century.
    For the month, Volkswagen sold 27,753 new cars in the U.S., which
represents a 52.3 percent increase over last year's September mark of 18,228.
Not since 1974 has Volkswagen enjoyed September sales of this magnitude.
So far in 1999, Volkswagen is well ahead of last year's brisk pace.  In just
nine months this year, Volkswagen has already exceeded its total 1998 annual
sales mark.  Year-to-date, the German automaker has sold 239,382 new cars in
the U.S., up 40.3 percent from the same period in 1998 when sales were
170,573.
    Coming off its best sales month ever in August, the New Beetle continued
to sell briskly in September with sales of 6,919, a 92.9 percent increase over
last year's mark of 3,587.
    September represented another record-breaking month for Volkswagen's best-
selling Jetta model.  Volkswagen sold 12,361 new Jettas in September versus
1998's mark of 7,684, an increase of 60.9 percent.  It was the best September
sales figure in the history of the model, which was originally introduced in
the U.S. in 1980.
    September also marked more sales records for Volkswagen's award-winning
Passat sedan and wagon.  The Passat enjoyed its best September sales month
ever with 5,351 sold in September, versus last year's figure of 3,413, an
increase of 56.8 percent.