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Volkswagen Sales Up 65.4 Percent-Best October in 25 Years

3 November 1999

Volkswagen Sales Up 65.4 Percent-Best October in 25 Years - Best Jetta and Passat October Ever - New Beetle Up 21 Percent

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 2 -- Again recording brisk double-
digit growth, Volkswagen of America, Inc. enjoyed its best October sales in
the United States in 25 years.
    In October, Volkswagen sold 27,809 new cars in the U.S., which represents
a 65.4 percent increase over last year's October mark of 16,811.  Not since
1974 has Volkswagen enjoyed October sales of this magnitude.
    Volkswagen's year-to-date sales are well ahead of last year's brisk pace.
Through October, the German automaker has sold 267,191 new cars in the U.S.,
up 42.6 percent from the same period in 1998 when sales were 187,384.
    The volume-leading Jetta led October's torrid retail pace.  Volkswagen
reported 11,591 new Jetta sales during the month.  That compares to 1998's
mark of 5,167, an increase of 124.3 percent.  It was the best October sales
figure in the history of the model, which was originally introduced in the
U.S. in 1980.
    Volkswagen's popular New Beetle again posted healthy sales growth.  In
October, Volkswagen sold 7,390 New Beetles.  This is a 21 percent increase
over last year's sales of 6,109.  So far in 1999, New Beetles sales are
69,621, an increase of 65.2 percent over the same period in 1998 when sales
were 42,146.
    October also marked more sales records for Volkswagen's award-winning
Passat sedan and wagon.  The Passat enjoyed its best October sales month ever
with 5,875 sold, versus last year's figure of 3,346, an increase of 75.6
percent.
    The Golf model recorded sales of 1,637 for October, an increase of 67.2
percent over 1998's mark of 979.