As regulators and lawyers representing owners of vehicles affected by the Dieselgate scandal are still trying to reach a final settlement, Volkswagen sales in North America plunged by over 17 percent in May.
The manufacturer delivered 28,779 units, compared to 34,758 last May, and apart from the Tiguan, which maintains a high popularity with 4,394 units delivered, up 42.7 percent, all passenger car sales dropped significantly. The best-selling model remains the Jetta, followed by the Passat.
While Volkswagen is struggling to regain its popularity, Audi has announced its 65th consecutive monthly US sales record in May and the fourth-best sales month in the company’s history. Deliveries were boosted by increased demand in crossovers and SUVs, which rose 26 percent, but the overall number is not that impressive, standing at 18,728 units, up 1.6 percent.
“With the all-new Audi Q7 and Audi Q3 setting records for the month, sales of Audi luxury SUVs show no sign of slowing down. From SUVs to the R8, consumer interest across the Audi lineup indicates that we can expect to continue building momentum in the months ahead“, commented Audi of America Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Del Rosso.
North America’s SUV boom pushed Porsche’s sales to 4,578 in May, up 7.3 percent compared to the same month of the previous year. The brand’s most popular model was the Macan, with 1,426 units delivered, up 36.3 percent, followed closely by its larger sibling, the Cayenne, with 1,293 examples finding new homes.