FILE – In this Nov. 16, 2011 file photo, Jonathan Browning, left, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, and Frank Fischer, head of the Volkswagen production facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., pose with a Volkswagen Passat and the award it received as Motor Trend Car of the Year for 2012 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Volkswagen of America Inc. said Wednesday that its sales jumped 26.3 percent in 2011 on strong demand for its top-selling Jetta models and redesigned Passat sedan.Passat sales sped ahead last month with the Chattanooga-made sedan helping Volkswagen book its best December in the United States in nearly 40 years.
The all-new sedan garnered sales of 6,884 in the month, up 14.3 percent from November, according to the German automaker.
Since the Passat went on sale at dealerships in August, VW has sold 22,779 of the cars, up 124 percent over last year, the company reported Wednesday.
“We’re pleased with the reception of Passat in the marketplace,” said Jonathan Browning, VW of America’s chief executive.
Overall, VW sold 32,502 vehicles in the U.S. in December, its best showing since 1972.