Volkswagen Passat – 15 Million Sold
Stupid names like “Dasher”, “Carat”, and “Quantum” haven’t managed to kill off one of the top-selling cars of all time, the Volkswagen Passat. Unveiled way back in 1973, the Passat has functioned as perhaps the most successful sedan ever made by a German car company. The Passat is logically the Goldilocks car smashed between the smaller Golf and larger Phaeton.
The Passat is also one of few German cars to be mass-produced outside of Germany. Today, the Passat is built for the North American market (again, logically) at a plant in Chattanooga. The Asian markets love German engineering, though they, too, get their cars made locally in Shanghai. Regardless of locale, the Passat managed to earn Motor Trend’s Car of the Year Award in 2012.
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The Passat was popularized by its practicality and performance. While the original Passats of the 70’s weren’t sportscars, they continually received powerplant and drivetrain upgrades. The Passat eventually received a diesel engine in 1978 and fuel injection in 1979. Three- and five-door hatchbacks and station wagons were made available for larger families. The Passat’s continuous improvement and value made it an easy buy for many customers. By the mid-2000’s, buyers could be treated to 4WD, a Torsen rear diff, a multi-plate clutch, active power management, and other features. Coupled with the Passat’s legendary reliability and safety ratings, it’s no wonder why over 15 million units have been sold.
