Tag Archives: Volkswagen of America

Good News About VW of America

Posted on by

Things are improving sales-wise. . . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

While it seems Volkswagen gets mentioned only in the context of its European and China problems, it is worth noting that in the US it is actually doing better than many OEMs when it comes to both first half 2026 and second quarter 2026 sales.

Total sales for Q2 are up 24.9% compared to Q2 2025, and they are up 2.3% compared to the first half of 2025.

It must be noted that Volkswagen of America had a bit of a bad Q1 2026, with sales down 16.1% compared to Q1 2025.

So in Q2 2026 that’s quite a recovery.

2026 VW Tiguan: Posting solid sales numbers for the brand. (Image: VW)

In Q1 there were numbers like the Atlas being down year-over year by 3.2%, but in Q2 they were up 18.6%.

The Jetta was down 34.9% in Q1 but it is up 9.7% in Q2.

And even the charming but controversial ID. Buzz electric minivan gained some traction because in Q1 2026 it was -35.2% compared with Q1 2025, but in Q2 2026 it made an impressive recovery, being up 121.5% compared to Q2 2025.

However, that major increase was off a low base: in Q2 2025 there were 564 ID. Buzz vehicles sold and in Q2 2026 1,249, so it is not like there were lineups at dealerships to get the vehicles.

For the first half of 2026 there were 2,481 ID. Buzz units sold, which pretty much explains why the company is giving a pass to the vehicle for model year 2026.

Notably, the Tiguan, which is in the highly competitive compact crossover category, is doing markedly—and deservedly—well.

For the first half there have been 52,930 Tiguans delivered, or 32.5% of all the vehicles VW sold during that period.

Quite an accomplishment since VW has eight other vehicles in its lineup.

Well, They Gave It a Good Try at Mercedes. . . .

Posted on by

“At MBUSI [Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.], our primary focus is always to provide a safe and supportive work environment for our Team Members, so they can build superior vehicles for the world. We look forward to continuing to work directly with our Team Members to ensure MBUSI is not only their employer of choice, but a place they would recommend to friends and family.”

That is the official statement from the company after employees at the Vance, Alabama, voted not to join the United Auto Workers.

Given that the employees at Volkswagen of America in Chattanooga, Tennessee, voted last month rather resoundingly to join the UAW—73% said “Let’s join!”—it was figured by some people that there would be something of a German company movement toward union organized solidarity.

But at MBUSI 56% were against joining the UAW.

(The numbers: 2,642 voted no and 2,045 voted yes. While that might seem close at first glance, that 12% delta is non-trivial.)

While the UAW has been on something of a tear of late, given the impressive contracts with the Motor City 3 and the win at VW, clearly not all auto workers see the situation as, in the words of the UAW, “Southern Autoworkers vs. Corporate Greed.”