Volkswagen of America, Inc. Friday reported 29,018 units sold in January, a 6.7 percent increase over prior year sales, including the Chattanooga-built Passat with 8,856 units sold, marking its best January ever. The company achieved 29 consecutive months of year-over-year growth and the best January since 1974. Over the last three years, the company has more than doubled its annual sales volume, demonstrating its long-term growth strategy, Mach 18, is gaining momentum in the U.S. market, officials said.   

“With all the buzz that comes with the North American International Auto Show, the release of our Super Bowl advertisement, 'Get Happy,' and a full line-up of new and refreshed vehicles, Volkswagen is off to a solid start in 2013,” said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “While the economic conditions continue to be somewhat uncertain, we expect Volkswagen to achieve continued growth and to outpace the industry this year.”  

Volkswagen’s 60-second Super Bowl XLVII advertisement stays true to the brand’s storytelling heritage of “human stories, told simply.” It builds on the upbeat themes of recent ads, “Smiles,” released in September, and last year’s Super Bowl spot, “The Dog Strikes Back,” named a leading 2012 ad on YouTube by Google. In 2011, VW released “The Force” Super Bowl ad, which received more than 56 million YouTube hits to date, and was recently named one of the best ads in the past 24 years by USA Today. 

Last week, Volkswagen teased its 2013 Game Day spot with “Sunny Side,” featuring well-known YouTube sensations, and renowned reggae artist Jimmy Cliff singing “The Partridge Family’s” theme, “C’mon, Get Happy.”   

Jetta sedan remains the volume leader for Volkswagen with sales totaling 9,089. With the addition of the Jetta Turbo Hybrid, Volkswagen now offers seven cars that can deliver more than 40 mpg on the highway – which no other automaker can match in the United States.   

Recently recognized as “best in class vehicle in the $20,000 – $25,000 price range” in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance 2013 buyer’s guide, the Jetta TDI demonstrates its consumer appeal and fuel economy in the compact sedan segment. 

The Beetle and Beetle Convertible sold a combined 2,232 units. The Golf saw a 24.9 percent increase in January sales with 1,532 units delivered. A new North American produced Golf will soon be added to line up. Production of the seventh generation Golf “A7”will commence the first quarter of 2014 at the Volkswagen de México manufacturing facility in Puebla, Mexico. This latest move reinforces the Volkswagen’s commitment to the North American market, where it will invest more than $5 billion in the next three years. 

Sport Utility Vehicles, Tiguan and Touareg reported sales of 2,114 and 962 units, respectively.  

Volkswagen’s high-mileage, clean diesel TDI models account for 19 percent of sales in January, a 14.7 percent increase over the prior year. 

JANUARY 2013 SALES