Volkswagen sales rise 14 percent on Chattanooga-made Atlas sales

Chief Executive Officer for Volkswagen Chattanooga Antonio Pinto speaks during a press conference unveiling the 100,000th Atlas SUV assembled in Chattanooga at the Volkswagen Academy on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Chief Executive Officer for Volkswagen Chattanooga Antonio Pinto speaks during a press conference unveiling the 100,000th Atlas SUV assembled in Chattanooga at the Volkswagen Academy on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Volkswagen of America's sales climbed 14 percent in May compared to the same month a year ago on the back of a record month by the Chattanooga-made Atlas SUV.

Total VW sales for May were 35,702 vehicles, with the Atlas logging 8,273 units, up 111 percent from a year ago, according to the German automaker.

However, sales of the Passat sedan, also made in Chattanooga, were just 1,294, down 73 percent from a year ago, the company reported.

Tiguan SUV sales were 10,692 in the month, up 25 percent, while Jetta also posted a strong month with sales of 9,653, up 42 percent over May 2018, the company said.

Derrick Hatami, Volkswagen of America's executive vice president of sales, marketing and after sales, said May was the brand's third consecutive month of increases.

Upcoming Events