Volkswagen sales rise 6.7% in January

Volkswagen says it posted a 6.7% sales gain in January, its best showing for the month since 1974.

As usual, the big growth drivers were VW's two most important models in the U.S. The Tennessee-made Passat had its best January ever, up 40%. And the Jetta sedan, which now comes as a Turbo hybrid, was the biggest selling model, though its overall sales were down 4%. VW also has one of the largest portfolios of diesel-powered models.

The Golf saw a 24.9% increase in January sales with 1,532 units delivered.

"Volkswagen is off to a solid start in 2013," said Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. "We expect Volkswagen to achieve continued growth and to outpace the industry this year."