GreenBkk Auto | Volkswagen's U.S. Sales Grow 17.9 Percent in October 2010

Volkswagen's U.S. Sales Grow 17.9 Percent in October 2010

Volkswagen's U.S. operations posted a strong sales increase in September 2010, but the company continued its march forward with an equally impressive October showing. Last month, the German automaker reported a 17.9-percent increase over the same period last year.

VW of America's U.S. deliveries totaled 20,084 vehicles in October 2010, 3047 cars more than the brand moved last October. As usual, the brand's strength lies with its compact offerings, especially the Jetta. 11,958 examples were sold in October, with roughly half of that figure -- 5464 cars, to be precise -- attributed to the all-new 2011 Jetta sedan.

Unsurprisingly, the next-best selling model in VW's North American portfolio remains the Golf and GTI hatchback -- combined, the two accounted for 1905 deliveries, which marks a 62-percent increase from last October. Volkswagen's Tiguan sales grew 49 percent to 1453 deliveries, but surprisingly, the largest growth lies with the Routan. Only 1103 examples of the Chrysler-built minivan were sold in October, but that marks a 65-percent improvement over the same period in 2009.

A zero-percent, 72-month financing deal may have helped the Routan's figures, but other vehicles applicable for the deal -- the Eos and New Beetle -- didn't benefit quite as much. Only 745 customers sprung for an aging New Beetle, while 371 bought into the Eos folding hardtop convertible. Passat sales rang in at 545 cars, while the Touareg, with 238 deliveries, came in last.

That last figure isn't too surprising, as an all-new 2011 Touareg is scheduled to hit showrooms across the country later this month, and VW hopes it, along with other forthcoming new models, can help sustain the company's sales momentum. Thus far in 2010, the automaker's U.S. sales are up by nearly 20 percent.

Credit: Automobile Magazine