Volkswagen of America reports sales fell 29% in quarter amid coronavirus

The new Volkswagen Atlas SUV is seen during a job fair with staffing contractor Aerotek held at the Volkswagen Manufacturing Plant on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga. Aerotek is hiring to fill production slots for manufacturing Volkswagen's new Atlas SUV.
The new Volkswagen Atlas SUV is seen during a job fair with staffing contractor Aerotek held at the Volkswagen Manufacturing Plant on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga. Aerotek is hiring to fill production slots for manufacturing Volkswagen's new Atlas SUV.

Volkswagen of America on Wednesday reported that sales in the April through June period fell 29% over the same time last year as the coronavirus-related lockdowns weighed on automakers.

Sales of the Chattanooga-made Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs also fell in the period, down 25%, according to the automaker.

But sales of the Passat sedan, also built in Chattanooga, rose 11% compared to the same period a year ago, the company said.

The German carmaker, which employs about 3,800 people in Chattanooga, reported that SUVs were a record 60% of all sales in the quarter.

Year to date, Volkswagen of America reported sales of 145,008 vehicles were down 22% versus the first half of 2019.

This is a developing story.

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