October 2013: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

[William Maley]

11.01.2013

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REPORTS OCTOBER 2013 SALES

• October sales total 28,129 units
• Chattanooga-built Passat delivered 7,258 for the month
• Jetta Sedan delivered 10,161 units for the month
• Tiguan delivered 2,153 units
• High-mileage, TDI® Clean Diesel models accounted for 24.2 percent of sales in October and 22 percent of sales year-to-date, the best year-to-date results on record
• Passat TDI sales reach 33.3 percent of mix with 2,416 units, the best October results ever

Herndon, VA - Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 28,129 units delivered in October and 342,962 units year-to-date, down 18 percent for the month. Adjusted for models in run-out, Volkswagen’s year-to-date pace would be on par with the prior year-to-date pace.

“After more than doubling our sales over the past three years, it is a significant recognition of the strength of our products that we are on course to close out a second consecutive year with over 400,000 vehicles delivered for the first time in 40 years,“ said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America.

Now operating at a new plateau, Volkswagen is seeing a consistent stream of accolades, not only for products, but for interaction with customers -- through compelling advertising and effective website management. Beyond sales figures, awards like these are a further proof point that the brand has gained a significant foothold in the US market.

Volkswagen’s award-winning commercials have found themselves atop another list. Ace Metrics named Volkswagen’s “Choose Wisely,” ad at the top of its list for “Funniest Ads of 2013.” “Top Down Day,” a Volkswagen ad promoting the new Beetle convertible, also made the top ten list, ranking number seven. Volkswagen was the only automaker in the top ten. Volkswagen has also proven successful in reaching consumers on their mobile devices, JD Power and Associates ranked the newly redesigned mobile.vw.com 6th overall among 33 automakers. The 2013 Automotive Mobile Site Study examines the features and content of automotive manufacturer mobile websites and their usefulness in the vehicle-shopping process.

The Chattanooga-built Passat continues as a core model with 7,258 units delivered. In October the Passat TDI, the only clean diesel in the midsize sedan segment delivered 2,416 clean diesels, representing 33.3 percent of its sales mix.

Total Jetta deliveries (including SportWagen) for October accounted for 10,161 units. The Jetta Turbo Hybrid continues to attract consumer interest with 666 deliveries in October.,

Total Beetle deliveries for October were 2,555 units, a 4.8 percent increase versus the prior year. The Tiguan sold 2,153 units. Total sales of the Golf (including Golf R and GTI) were 2,249. The Touareg sold 549 units.

Volkswagen’s high-mileage, TDI® Clean Diesel models accounted for 24.2 percent of sales in October, and 22 percent year-to-date, the best year-to-date on record.

[Z-06]

How is VW going to achieve 800,000 target?

[Drew Dowdell]

Gosh VW... what happened?

Still a 25% take rate on TDIs is better than most model's hybrid take rate where the hybrid is an option.

Hear that GM? It's the sound of diesel engines in cars that you didn't sell..

[ocnblu]

Not sure how this happened, unless VWOA is not giving dealers enough back room money to help them make a deal.