Chattanooga-made Passat sales up, hit May record

photo A new Volkswagen Passat sits on display on the deck of the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga during a Volkswagen dinner and reception for international media in this file photo.

Passat sales rose in May over a year ago even as Volkswagen saw a slight overall drop in the number of vehicles sold in the month, the company reported today.

The Chattanooga-made sedan had its best May ever with 10,267 units sold, up 0.9 percent compared to the same month in 2012, the automaker said.

Total VW sales were off 1.7 percent in May.

Jonathan Browning, chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America, said that month to month comparisons are difficult. VW sales had been up 26 percent in May 2012 versus May 2011, he said.

Browning also said industry truck sales were high last month and that's an area in which the automaker doesn't compete in the U.S.

VW reported that over 31 percent of the Passat's sold in May were diesels. The automaker's entire diesel lineup had its best results ever in May, VW said.

See more on auto sales in Tuesday's Times Free Press.

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