VW sales up 22.4%, best October since 1972

Volkswagen today reported October sales up 22.4% from a year ago for itts best October since Beetle days in 1972.

It was a 26th consecutive month of increases, with total sales of 34,311, for VW, which is on a mission to double sales in the U.S. Through October its sales this year are the best since 1973.

It was the best October ever for the Passat mid-size, with sales up 66% to 8,355, though that was off the 10,000-a-month pace set through much of this year.

Jetta, which is about to roll out VW's first U.S. hybrid, was the volume leader at 11,253, down 1%.

But diesels remain VW's fuel efficiency leaders, with diesel versions of its models accounting for 24% of sales in the month.

Sales of Beetle, which is about to roll out a convertible model, were 2,439, up 61%.