Few brands are as solid as Volkswagen. Even amidst new scandals and old ones, the automaker continues to churn out cars that impress. Its new ID.4 has become one of its fastest-selling models, and Volkswagen says that more than 80 percent of these buyers are first-time EV buyers who are trading in their gas-powered vehicles.

This shows the confidence that buyers have in the brand when other automakers had their EVs on sale much earlier. In total, VW reports 6,230 sales of the ID.4 so far this year. But the success doesn't come from the ID.4 alone, and VW seems to be kicking butt in just about every segment that it operates.

That said, SUVs are leading the charge. Duncan Movassaghi, EVP and chief sales and marketing officer for Volkswagen of America, says, "Our growth has been led by our SUVs and their significant gains across some of the most competitive segments in the industry. The additions of the Taos and ID.4 enable us to sustain our recent gains and make us even more competitive as an SUV brand."

This is evidenced by VW reporting 39,377 sales of the Atlas family of vehicles in the second quarter of this year, a 141% gain year-on-year. Its year-to-date (YTD) figures are similarly impressive here, with 69,897 units representing an increase of 120%. Along with 37,888 sales of the Tiguan in Q2, these figures contribute to VW seeing SUVs take a 73% share of sales, a new record for the company. The addition of the Taos to the lineup has also been healthy for the brand, with 4,939 units sold since its release.

All in all, VW is reporting its best quarterly sales total and best second-quarter YTD sales since 1973, as well as the best quarter ever for SUVs, up 111% from 2020. Its YTD sales of 211,373 are up 46% over 2020 too, when the same period saw VW report sales of 145,008 units. 120,520 of these sales in 2021 are from the second quarter alone, while last year, Q2 saw VW shift only 69,933 vehicles. Of course, the emergence of many states from lockdowns and a more upbeat general attitude contribute to these figures, but it just goes to show that VW's might is truly extraordinary.