September 2014 New Auto Sales: Volkswagen Continues To Falter With Sales Growing Only For Its Golf Hatchbacks

Continuing its poor sales performance in the U.S., Volkswagen of America said Wednesday it delivered 25,996 cars to American buyers in September, a 19 percent drop compared with the same month a year ago, as the German auto giant is releasing updated models it hopes will reinvigorate U.S. demand.

Year on year for the month, only Volkswagen’s Golf hatchbacks were in positive-growth territory, up 64 percent, while its best-selling Jetta sedans and Jetta SportWagens were collectively down 23 percent. Meanwhile, the Passat full-size luxury car was down 8 percent.

Volkswagen is the world’s No. 2 automaker, and it owns the popular Audi luxury brand. In the U.S., however, the VW brand has been hurt by a shift away from sedans toward a crowded market of crossover small-engine SUVs. The company is hoping to lure buyers to its new Jetta released this month.

Here’s a Motormouth Canada review of the 2015 Jetta:

And here’s a Fast Lane Car review of another car Volkswagen hopes will help turn things around in the U.S.: