Volkswagen Reports 31.5 Percent Increase In April U.S. Sales

HERNDON, Va., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 37,525 units sold in April, a 31.5 percent increase over prior year sales, 38 percent increase year-to-date and the best April since 1971. 

"The demand and enthusiasm for our products continues at a strong pace and we are beginning to see the fruits of our investments pay off, marking the best April in over forty years," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "As our sales continue to outpace the industry, we are investing in our infrastructure to ensure sustained growth."

Last month, the company announced expansion plans for VW Credit Inc. (VCI) facility in Libertyville, IL.  The ground breaking took place on April 20 for a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the facility. The multimillion-dollar expansion, to be completed early next year, will accommodate approximately 150 new jobs that VW Credit, Inc. expects to create through 2018.  This comes on top of the additional 1,000 jobs that the company announced it would add at its manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, TN to meet growing demand of the 2012 Passat.

Jetta sedan, including the enthusiast GLI model, remains the volume leader for Volkswagen with sales totaling 13,754, while Jetta SportWagen totaled 1,904. 

Sales of the Chattanooga-built Passat continue to rise with record sales of 10,096 units in April, the second month breaking 10,000 units.

The 2012 Beetle, recently named to Ward's list of "10 Best Interiors," sold 2,065 units. The Beetle TDI Clean Diesel Coupe will go on sale late summer 2012. The Tiguan continued to see strong sales with 2,333 units sold and the Golf saw a 14.6 percent increase in sales with a total of 3,876 units sold.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.