(November 1, 2011) HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen of America today reported 28,028 units sold in October 2011, a 39.6 percent increase over prior year sales. Year-to-date sales are up 23.8 percent.

"As the all-new Passat and Beetle start to enter the market place, demand for Volkswagen vehicles has already exceeded last year's annual volume in the first 10 months of the year," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. 

"With the right products in the heart of key segments, and now the most Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) top safety picks in the industry, our momentum continues as customers are increasingly recognizing and embracing the quality and value of our vehicles."

The all-new, 2012 Volkswagen Passat sold 5,040 units in October, its first full-month of sales for the Chattanooga-built vehicle and the most Passats sold since December 2005. 

The 2012 Beetle, sold 1,516 units as production starts to ramp up.  Volkswagen Jetta sales (including Sport Wagen) totaled 13,058 units, a 9.2 percent increase over last year. GTI sales increased 32.8 percent while Golf sales rose 34.3 percent versus last year.  Sport utility vehicles Touareg and Tiguan experienced 204.6 percent and 18.4 percent sales increases, respectively. 

Volkswagen's high-mileage, clean diesel TDI models accounted for 20.5 percent of all October sales and up 37 percent year-over-year.