Volkswagen reports today (also via LA Times and Autoblog) that their clean diesel TDI model sales are on the rise, posting sales in June that were the highest since VW started importing diesel models again earlier this year.
In total, 5,072 TDI models were sold in June, of which over 1,500 were Jetta TDI Sportwagons (80 percent of all Jetta wagons sold).
The news gets better as Jetta Sportwagon sales were up 620 percent over June 2008. I’m guessing there was some pent-up demand for those diesel wagons – I don’t think there are too many other small cars out there that offer the same utility, performance, and economy.
This should not have been too surprising, though. At the 2009 NY Auto Show unveiling of the Mk VI Golf and GTI, Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of VW North America, made much of the fact that, while sales were down from 2008, the company had gained worldwide market share primarily on the demand for their economical and sporty TDI lineup.
VW not fancy enough for you? In a previous post I pointed out that Audi plans to bring an A3 TDI sportwagon to the US later this year as a companion to their Q7 TDI SUV. Given the demand seen for the Jetta so far, timing looks good for the A3 TDI.
However, some other manufacturers don’t have the same love for diesels. Autoblog also brings news today that Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are all canceling plans to produce future diesel models.
Too bad for them. True that diesel has some perception hurdles to overcome in the US, but those Jetta TDI sales numbers show there must be interest. Not everyone wants anemic hybrid performance, and I can’t be the only person who prefers the handling of a wagon for hauling kids/strollers/groceries/etc., but doesn’t want a truck.
Time will tell. I’m watching with anticipation.