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Volkswagen Golf Sales Figures

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact hatchback produced by Volkswagen since 1974. It is one of the best-selling cars in the world and has been consistently ranked among the top compact cars by automotive journalists. Here you will find monthly and yearly Canadian and U.S. sales figures for the Volkswagen Golf, including the GTI, Golf R, e-Golf, and Golf SportWagen. To see the GTI’s figures on their own, click here. For the Golf Alltrack, click here. These statistics include sales of the VW Golf hatchback, convertible and station wagon, and exclude sales of the Volkswagen Golf Plus MPV, the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe and the Volkswagen Eos convertible. A Plug-in Hybrid version named Golf GTE and an electric version named e-Golf have been introduced in 2014 to compete with the Opel Ampera (Golf GTE) and the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf (e-Golf). It’s one of the best-selling cars globally, with sales reaching the tens of millions since its launch.

Volkswagen Golf Overview

The Volkswagen Golf is one of the most iconic and best-selling vehicles ever produced by the German automaker Volkswagen. Since its introduction in the 1970s, the Golf has set standards in the compact car segment, combining innovation, versatility, and a dynamic driving experience.

The Volkswagen Golf was first introduced in 1974 as a replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. It was part of Volkswagen’s move towards modern, front-wheel-drive vehicles with a water-cooled engine. Over the decades, the Golf has gone through multiple generations, with each one bringing enhancements in terms of design, technology, and performance. The Golf played a crucial role in redefining Volkswagen’s image and success in the post-Beetle era. It moved the brand from the air-cooled, rear-engined Beetle to a more modern platform that would underpin many future models.

While the Golf has evolved over the years, it has always retained a recognizable design, characterized by its sharp lines, compact size, and versatile hatchback format. The interior of the Golf has consistently been praised for its quality, ergonomics, and functionality. The Golf has been offered with a wide range of engines, from efficient petrol and diesel engines to high-performance units in the GTI and R models.

The Golf GTI, introduced in the 1970s, is often credited as one of the pioneers of the “hot hatch” segment, combining the practicality of a hatchback with sporty performance. The Golf R is an all-wheel-drive variant that takes performance to another level, with even more power and enhanced driving dynamics. Volkswagen has also produced electric and hybrid versions, such as the e-Golf and Golf GTE, highlighting the model’s adaptability to evolving automotive trends.

Modern iterations of the Golf come equipped with a range of advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The vehicle also boasts infotainment systems that support functionalities like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and advanced navigation.

The current Golf is available with a variety of engines, including a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Golf has a comfortable and spacious interior that can seat up to five people. It also has a large trunk with 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The Golf is equipped with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity. It also has a rearview camera and a multifunction steering wheel. The starting MSRP for the Volkswagen Golf is $23,190.

Volkswagen Golf Sales Figures

The Golf’s influence extends beyond just its sales numbers. Its platform has been the basis for many other Volkswagen Group vehicles, from the smaller Polo to the SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia. The success of the Golf set the stage for Volkswagen’s global presence and cemented its reputation for producing quality, reliable vehicles. It is a sales success in every way possible, one of the most popular cars in the world.

Volkswagen Golf US Sales Data & Charts

US Monthly Sales

US Annual Sales

Year Sales Units
2005 15,690
2006 17,089
2007 16,399
2008 15,338
2009 8,071
2010 27,674
2011 34,706
2012 43,638
2013 30,930
2014 33,675
2015 65,308
2016 61,687
2017 68,978
2018 42,271
2019 37,393
2020 22,495
2021 6,537
2022 7,893
2023 10,690

US Annual Growth

Volkswagen Golf Canada Sales Data & Charts

Canada Annual Sales

Year Sales Units
2012 12,198
2013 11,871
2014 12,045
2015 20,515
2016 19,966
2017 24,604
2018 21,477
2019 19,668
2020 13,113
2021 8,587

Canada Annual Growth

Volkswagen Golf Europe Sales Data & Charts

Europe Annual Sales

Year Sales Units
1997 500,848
1998 672,465
1999 703,932
2000 685,029
2001 664,328
2002 596,415
2003 494,832
2004 585,356
2005 487,210
2006 416,507
2007 435,610
2008 461,620
2009 579,246
2010 497,051
2011 493,899
2012 430,088
2013 462,527
2014 523,729
2015 534,535
2016 491,681
2017 482,177
2018 445,303
2019 410,779
2020 285,013
2021 214,069
2022 176,388

Europe Annual Growth

Volkswagen Golf China Sales Data & Charts

These statistics include China sales of the regular Volkswagen Golf hatchback and exclude sales of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan in China, which are published separately.

China Annual Sales

Year Sales Units
2003 15,093
2004 20,901
2005 17,154
2006 13,729
2007 4,396
2008 3,576
2009 7,218
2010 57,517
2011 99,542
2012 127,376
2013 101,802
2014 193,047
2015 192,410
2016 178,791
2017 150,695
2018 139,813
2019 105,795
2020 91,114
2021 63,203
2022 87,105

China Annual Growth