Volkswagen of America Wednesday reported 77,524 Volkswagen Passat sedans sold year-to-date, making 2012 the best year of Passat sales ever in the United States. This number surpasses the previous total year sales record, established in 2001.
This best-year milestone comes on the heels of the best August sales month for Passat to date, with 10,900 units sold. Approximately 20 percent of all Passats sold in the United States are equipped with the TDI® Clean Diesel power train, which is unique in the midsize segment – further highlighting continued demand for Volkswagen’s class-leading diesel technology.
Passat by the numbers
2001: In 2001, the Volkswagen Passat, a niche player in the mid-size sedan segment, has its best year ever selling 77,523 vehicles for the year.
2011: In January 2011, the all-new Passat makes its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This was followed up with the award-winning commercial “The Force” which premiered during the Super Bowl in February of 2011. The first Passat was delivered in September of 2011. The all-new Passat is the only midsize sedan that offers German engineering at an accessible price. The Passat also began its long list of accolades when it was named a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the highest possible rating from the non-profit safety research organization. The year ends with the announcement that the Passat received the coveted Motor Trend 2012 Car of the Year award.
2012: The Passat continues a year of accolades and bests as it starts off the year receiving many honors including Kelley Blue Book’s Family Car of the Year, and Cars.com’s “Best of 2012.” Most recently, the Passat was awarded top-rated premium mid-size car in the Autobytel and AutoPacific 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards, and was recognized as the Most Ideal Premium Mid-Size Car for 2012 as part of AutoPacific’s New Vehicle Satisfaction Survey.
1626.1: In May 2012, a new record of 1626.1 miles is achieved on one tank of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel under real world driving conditions. Over the course of three days and driving through nine states, John and Helen Taylor averaged 84.1 miles per gallon, spending only 4.65 cents per mile. The Passat’s 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel inline four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque and with a manual transmission delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 43 mpg on the highway. The TDI engine is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR) that fulfills emissions requirements in all 50 states.
100,000: In May 2012, Volkswagen Chattanooga achieves a significant production milestone with the completion of the 100,000th Passat just nine months after start of sales in September 2011. As the only manufacturing facility in the world to be certified as LEED Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council, the plant is considered the most environmentally friendly automotive plant worldwide. In 2012, Volkswagen Chattanooga also announced it was hiring an additional 1,000 employees in order to keep up with the growing demand of the Passat.
77,524: On Sept. 19, the 77,524th Passat is sold at Quirk Volkswagen, a dealership, in Braintree, Mass. In just nine months, 2012 officially becomes the best-selling year for the Volkswagen Passat surpassing the previous total year sales record, established in 2001.