Volkswagen sees strongest first-half sales in the US since 1973

Volkswagen of America said it sold over 211,000 cars in the first half of this year, its highest level for the period in almost 50 years, and is on pace to sell over 400,000 cars this year, according to Chief Executive and President Scott Keogh.

The U.S. arm of Germany’s Volkswagen AG has been able to increase sales volume and market share due to an expanded portfolio that is increasingly dedicated to SUVs, from the new Taos compact to the all-electric ID.4.

The ID.4 hit U.S. dealers earlier this year and happened to sell 5,756 units in the first half, with 85% of trade-ins coming from owners of vehicles that are not electric.

“It’s the most profitable car for our dealers,” Keogh said.

The ID.4 goes into production at the automaker’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant in the second half of 2022 and eventually will be joined in the United States by a range of companion models, including an all-electric people mover inspired by Microbus of the automaker.

Keogh said nearly three-quarters of the automaker’s sales in the U.S. were SUVs, which increased average prices by around $4,000 from a year earlier.