back to archive
Strong February sales renew Volkswagen hopes for Porsche merger
Bouoyed by strong U.S. sales last month, Volkswagen has renewed its efforts to complete a merger with Porsche.
Volkswagen delivered 21,461 units to American
car leasing customers in February 2011, an 18.5 percent increase over that month last year, the company reported this week. Counting the first two months of 2011, Volkswagen has sold 39,862 vehicles to U.S. buyers for a 10.3 percent increase over the same period in 2010.
Vehicle lease business was particularly busy for the CC sports sedan - up 68.4 percent - and Tiguan SUV - up 28.5 percent. The company also saw increasing acceptance of its clean diesel technology, as consumers chose that engine for a record high 57 percent of the Golf vehicles sold in February.
That rising revenue will help to fuel the firm's desire to overcome legal and tax challenges to the merger by prosecutors in its home country of Germany, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn told reporters at the company's annual news conference.
The deal would make Porsche become one of Volkswagen's 10 automotive brands, but has already been postponed once this year by regulatory hurdles and lawsuits. Volkswagen already owns 49 percent of Porsche's car making operations, and has an option to buy the rest.
Related News
Automotive Industry News
Car Dealer News
Car Leasing News
