• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s U.S. Auto Sales Got Crushed in November

By
Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 1, 2015, 5:26 PM ET
Volkswagen plant in Emden with shipping terminal
New Volkswagen cars are ready to be shipped at the car terminal next to the company's plant in Emden, Germany, 30 September 2015. Although the plant focuses on the production of the Volkswagen Passat, the terminal serves as a major hub for the export of all Volkswagen vehicles. Photo by: Ingo Wagner/picture-alliance/dpa/AP ImagesPhotograph by Ingo Wagner — picture-alliance/dpa/AP

On Tuesday, Volkswagen of America (VLKAY) reported that it delivered 23,882 vehicles in November 2015, a 25% decline from the same month last year. Volkswagen says the sales down numbers were caused by the recent sales halt for all 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged direct injection (TDI) vehicles. Volkswagen stopped selling the cars after the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board sent two notices alleging the company used illegal software to mask emissions.

Meanwhile, Audi’s November 2015 sales in the U.S. managed to rise 0.4% to 16,700 vehicles, even after pulling models that U.S. regulators say contain illegal emissions software. The small sales increase was enough to push Audi to a new record month of sales. Over the year’s first 11 months, Audi’s U.S. sales reached 181,803 vehicles, up 11.7% from 162,773 vehicles sold in the same period last year.

Volkswagen’s troublesome sales period began in September 2015, when it became the target of investigations after the EPA accused the company of installing illegal software in TDI diesel engines. These so-called defeat devices allowed the vehicle’s nitrogen oxide output to meet U.S. standards during regulatory testing, but then produced up to 40 times higher nitrogen oxide in real driving conditions.

In November, Volkswagen announced that a software update and piece of hardware would repair the majority of the diesel vehicles in Europe that had defeat devices installed in their engines. However, the recall can only be used to fix the cars in Europe. U.S. regulators have not approved Volkswagen’s recall plans yet. The ongoing emissions cheating scandal has affected an estimated 11 million cars globally, including about 500,000 vehicles in the U.S.

As a result, domestic sales of Volkswagen brands likely won’t recover soon. And Audi could also experience a similar drop-off in sales. Volkswagen still faces considerable challenges in the U.S., where emissions regulations are tougher.

Also, new allegations have popped up, accusing Volkswagen of developing and installing software that masks emissions, a violation of the Clean Air Act. The illegal software was reportedly equipped in certain vehicles with 3.0-liter V6 diesel engines, which Audi designed, for model years 2014 through 2016. These accusations widened the emissions scandal into Volkswagen’s other companies including Porsche.

Audi initially denied a defeat device was in its 3.0-liter engine. It has since admitted that many of its diesel models dating back to 2009, including the A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7, contain the illegal software. The VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, which have been using the diesel engines in the U.S. since 2013, also contain defeat devices. Audi has said a software update can correct the issue.

However, Volkswagen’s numbers stand in stark contrast to the rest of the U.S. auto industry, which saw November auto sales rise on demand for sport utility vehicles and seasonal marketing promotions. General Motors (GM) said on Tuesday the U.S. auto industry will sell 18.2 million vehicles for the month at an annualized rate. This estimate matches most analysts’ predictions that 2015 sales will top the 17.35 million vehicles sold in 2000, a record year according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

For more on the Volkswagen emissions scandal, watch this Fortune video:

Sign up for Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter about the business of technology.

About the Author
By Kirsten Korosec
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Stock futures sink while oil spikes as the U.S. Navy looks to squeeze Iran’s economy and break its grip on the Strait of Hormuz
PoliticsOil
Stock futures sink while oil spikes as the U.S. Navy looks to squeeze Iran’s economy and break its grip on the Strait of Hormuz
By Jason MaApril 12, 2026
6 hours ago
A major U.S. gasoline production hub is in such a severe drought that its refineries may be hobbled. ‘We are actively praying for a hurricane’
Energyfossil fuels
A major U.S. gasoline production hub is in such a severe drought that its refineries may be hobbled. ‘We are actively praying for a hurricane’
By Michael Phillis and The Associated PressApril 12, 2026
8 hours ago
U.K. won’t take part in Trump’s planned blockade of Hormuz strait
PoliticsIran
U.K. won’t take part in Trump’s planned blockade of Hormuz strait
By Alex Wickham and BloombergApril 12, 2026
8 hours ago
Hungarian voters oust Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Trump and Putin, despite late campaign push from JD Vance
EuropeElections
Hungarian voters oust Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Trump and Putin, despite late campaign push from JD Vance
By Justin Spike, Sam McNeil and The Associated PressApril 12, 2026
9 hours ago
Blazing hot IPOs, an AI agent craze, and a new word for ‘token’: Here’s what’s happening in the world of Chinese AI
AsiaChina
Blazing hot IPOs, an AI agent craze, and a new word for ‘token’: Here’s what’s happening in the world of Chinese AI
By Nicholas GordonApril 12, 2026
9 hours ago
Iran’s crumbling economy is the regime’s greatest weakness with prices up 40% since the war began while authorities worry about making payroll
EconomyIran
Iran’s crumbling economy is the regime’s greatest weakness with prices up 40% since the war began while authorities worry about making payroll
By Jason MaApril 12, 2026
10 hours ago

Most Popular

'This is the last warning.' Iran threatens U.S. warships after they throw down the gauntlet for winner-take-all Strait of Hormuz
Politics
'This is the last warning.' Iran threatens U.S. warships after they throw down the gauntlet for winner-take-all Strait of Hormuz
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
1 day ago
'People are trying to be creative': Tariff-battered American companies are so cash-starved they are using refund claims as collateral for loans
Economy
'People are trying to be creative': Tariff-battered American companies are so cash-starved they are using refund claims as collateral for loans
By Fortune EditorsApril 12, 2026
22 hours ago
A 93-year-old refused to sell her home to the Masters golf course that’s spent $280 million on expansion: ‘Money ain’t everything’
Real Estate
A 93-year-old refused to sell her home to the Masters golf course that’s spent $280 million on expansion: ‘Money ain’t everything’
By Fortune EditorsApril 12, 2026
18 hours ago
The 'affordability economy' has created a housing market nobody predicted: Prices collapsing in the Sun Belt, soaring in the Rust Belt
Real Estate
The 'affordability economy' has created a housing market nobody predicted: Prices collapsing in the Sun Belt, soaring in the Rust Belt
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
2 days ago
Palantir CEO says AI ‘will destroy’ humanities jobs but there will be ‘more than enough jobs’ for people with vocational training
Future of Work
Palantir CEO says AI ‘will destroy’ humanities jobs but there will be ‘more than enough jobs’ for people with vocational training
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
2 days ago
Here's how a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could work. 'This is a big task, and it's a big gamble'
Politics
Here's how a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could work. 'This is a big task, and it's a big gamble'
By Fortune EditorsApril 12, 2026
12 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.