Diesel Sales Help American-Made VW Passat Reach 100,000 Units Built

Baltimore, USA, 06/13/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Passat has only been on sale at VW dealerships since last September, but already the 100,000th model has rolled off the assembly line at the automaker’s Chattanooga, Tennessee factory. Combining American-focused attributes like spaciousness and comfort with German engineering, Volkswagen’s new midsize sedan continues to grow in popularity, having surpassed 10,000 units in U.S. sales in each of the past three months.

Wearing Night Blue Metallic paint, the 100,000th model built at Volkswagen’s Tennessee plant was a VW Passat TDI SEL Premium, which is fitting considering the in-roads that TDI Clean Diesel technology has made with American buyers. According to the Detroit Free Press, Volkswagen had originally estimated that TDI trims would make up about 17 percent of Passat sales, but instead more than 20 percent of Passat buyers have elected for a diesel engine. In response to that higher demand, the automaker is preparing for a scenario where TDI trims could comprise 30 percent of all Passat sales.

“The Passat TDI returns up to 43 mpg on the highway, which makes it very popular with those looking for less pain at the gas pump, but it balances that efficiency with solid performance, including 236 pound-feet of torque,” said Michael Coleman, general manager of Russel Volkswagen, a VW dealer in Baltimore, Md. “If you combine those things with the Passat’s best-in-class legroom and refined ride, then you get a very complete package for a family sedan.”

Volkswagen currently offers TDI Clean Diesel trims on five of its models, and they continue to gain favor in the United States. In May, sales of diesel-powered Volkswagens were up 21 percent compared to the same month last year, making up 20.3 percent of the automaker’s overall U.S. sales. Meanwhile, sales of the Passat lineup reached record levels last month, totaling 10,178 units.

As the 2012 Volkswagen Passat continues to rack up high sales tallies, the sedan is also earning industry accolades to match. Editors at Parents magazine and Edmunds.com recently recognized the Passat as a Best Family Car of 2012, citing the vehicle’s affordable price and the extensive list of features and passenger space that come along with it. The Best Family Cars were chosen after Parents and Edmunds.com had evaluated current models on their safety, performance, exterior, interior and family-friendly features.

Proving that it can impress its buyers as well, the VW Passat was also named Top Rated Premium Mid-Size Car in Autobytel Inc. and AutoPacific’s recently released 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards. After surveying roughly 75,000 owners of 2012-model-year vehicles on 48 different attributes, Autobytel and AutoPacific found that the Passat had the most satisfied buyers in its category, beating out competitors like the Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata and Honda Accord.

“The Vehicle Satisfaction Awards show that the Passat is living up to its promise after it leaves the dealership,” added Coleman. “We love to see buyers drive away pleased, but it is just as important that they still have great things to say about their vehicle when they come back for scheduled service. The new Passat seems poised to satisfy its owners for years to come.”

About Russel Volkswagen:
Committed to building lasting relationships with Volkswagen customers in the Baltimore area one family at a time, Russel Volkswagen backs up its wide inventory of new and used VW vehicles with a no-hassle buying environment. Their team of factory-trained technicians, parts experts and knowledgeable sales professionals goes the distance to ensure every customer experience is a positive one. Visit their Baltimore, Maryland Volkswagen dealership at 6624 Baltimore National Pike for a test drive, or browse their inventory online at www.russelvw.com. They can also be reached by phone at 866-540-5268 and found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandVW.