Volkswagen Reports July 2008 Sales

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced July 2008 sales of 20,442 units, a 4.0 percent increase over the July 2007 sales of 19,653 vehicles. On a year-to-date basis, 2008 Volkswagen sales are 1.1 percent ahead of 2007 sales through July.

"We're pleased with our July sales results," said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "For Volkswagen to be ahead of last year's sales in this tough economy reflects the strength of our brand. Our new products launching later this year are sure to give us even greater momentum."

The GTI, the original pocket rocket, posted its best sales month since March of 2006, with July sales of 1,619 units, up 31.4 percent over last July. Volkswagen's innovative coupe-convertible-sunroof Eos continues to be a summertime top-seller with sales of 1,363 units, up 14.6 percent over last July.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 model year vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stabilization control system on its entire product line - ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) deadline requiring stabilization systems in the 2012 model year vehicles. Volkswagen's ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control, rollovers and other types of crashes. NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if all vehicles had stabilization systems as standard equipment.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.

Source: Volkswagen