Autoblog

Volkswagen of America is counting its lucky stars that it has a portfolio of diesel-powered models on the showroom floor as increasingly fuel-economy-conscious consumers look for relief from rising gas prices. In the first four months of the year, Volkswagen's TDI diesels accounted for more than 22 percent of total sales. In April, diesel sales accounted for more than 40-percent of New Beetles sold and 38-percent of Jettas.

VW sales are probably getting a helping hand from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy - the agencies' 2006 Fuel Economy Guide rates the diesel version of the New Beetle and Golf as the highest fuel economy models in their respective classes.

VW is also set to see a windfall of TDI sales later in the year when the U.S. switches to Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel as a national standard. We expect VW and DaimlerChrysler to be on the ready with a marketing blitz to inform the public of how clean diesel fuel has become.

[Source: Volkswagen of America]