Photo: Volkswagen
The North American VW Passat was launched back in April 2011, hitting the 10,000 sales mark in September of 2011, with 50,000 coming up in February of this year. It is quite a bit different to the European version of the Passat, being larger and featuring slightly different styling, especially at the back (not bad for a VW). We think the increase in size really suits the simple styling of newer VWs, as it doesn't really seem to work well with their smaller offerings.
Now, VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant has built its 100,000th Passat, a “Night Blue Metallic” car, fitted with the group’s trusty 2.0-liter TDI engine, in SEL Premium trim. As usual, somebody made a statement, but this time it was the President and CEO of VW America, Jonathan Browning, who went on to say: “Producing 100,000 Passats so soon after the vehicle went on sale in September 2011 is a testament to all the hard work that has gone into making our LEED-certified Chattanooga plant and the Passat such a success, both here and abroad.”
Even the old Euro-spec Passat sold well in the US, so this car designed specifically for the North American buyer has been a real hit, by being simple, quite affordable for what it is. We’re genuinely happy that with this car, VW are pushing their diesel technology into the US, and it seems people really appreciate its “better than promised” fuel economy - something hybrids, for instance, never offer.
Even the old Euro-spec Passat sold well in the US, so this car designed specifically for the North American buyer has been a real hit, by being simple, quite affordable for what it is. We’re genuinely happy that with this car, VW are pushing their diesel technology into the US, and it seems people really appreciate its “better than promised” fuel economy - something hybrids, for instance, never offer.
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