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Volkswagen Sales up 19.6 Percent - Best March Since 1979

2 April 2000

Best New Beetle, Passat, Jetta and Cabrio March Ever

Editor's Note: The report of VW and Audi's sales being their best in two decades 
should not surprise anyone, every vehicle manufactured by VW/Audi is fantastic.  
If you haven't had the chance to drive one, you should take a test drive.


    AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Volkswagen of America, Inc. today reported its best 
March sales in more than two decades.

    In March, Volkswagen sold 31,675 new cars in the U.S., which represents a
19.6 percent increase over last year's mark of 26,488.  Not since 1979 has
Volkswagen enjoyed March sales of this magnitude.

    Looking at first quarter results, Volkswagen is well ahead of last year's
strong pace.  Year-to-date, the German automaker has sold 82,621 new cars in
the U.S., up 30.1 percent from the same period in 1999 when sales were 63,525.

    All of Volkswagen's passenger car models were up for the month and nearly
all celebrated record-breaking March sales.

    Volkswagen's popular New Beetle recorded its best March and second-best
overall month in its history with sales of 7,882, an increase of 7.8 percent
over last year's mark of 7,310.

    March also represented another record sales month for Volkswagen's
award-winning Passat sedan and wagon, which is now available with Volkswagen's
all-wheel-drive 4MOTION system.  The Passat enjoyed its best March month ever
with 7,704 sold in March, versus last year's mark of 5,782, an increase of
33.2 percent.

    Volkswagen's top-selling Jetta model recorded best-ever March sales of
12,058 versus 1999's total of 10,874, an increase of 10.9 percent.  The Jetta
continues to be America's best-selling European nameplate.

    Cabrio reached a record March with sales of 1,697, up considerably over
1999's figure of 516.  Total Golf sales for March were 1,905 versus last
year's mark of 1,651, an increase of 15.4 percent.