Volkswagen of America is seeing strong demand for its products, enabling the German automaker to rack up record sales as customers are drawn to its products. Unlike in times past when the imports were the biggest sellers, a certain North American built car is contributing to VW’s surge. That model, the made in Mexico Jetta, will soon be joined by a made in America, Passat. Together, the two North American models may contribute the lion’s share of sales for Volkswagen, and for may years to come.

Tennessee Plant

Volkswagen hasn’t been this popular since the days of the Beetle. That would be the iconic original, not the New Beetle from 1997 on. Over the years, VW lost its way in America as customers largely spurned its products and the automaker ended closing its sole plant in America in the late 1980s. Today, VW is back and has a new plant in Tennessee to replace the shuttered plant in Pennsylvania.

Demand for VW products comes as the automaker works out its strategy for the North American market which is to build cars that are designed for Americans and Canadians, eschewing European designs in various segments. Certainly, the Golf sold in North America is the same as the one sold in Europe, but with its compact Jetta and next generation Passat, these models are not what you would find elsewhere. » Read more: Native Volkswagen Products Bolster Automaker