HERNDON, USA (AP) — Volkswagen of America Inc said on Tuesday that US auto sales in September rose 34.4 per cent, its best showing for that month since 1972, largely on strong sales of its Passat sedans.

BY THE NUMBERS: VW sold 36,339 vehicles last month, compared with 27,036 in September 2011.

TOP SELLERS: The company sold 14,750 Jettas, including 12,584 sedans and 2,166 wagons. The total fell 1.8 per cent from a year ago.

HOT MODELS: VW sold 9,500 Passats, triple the 3,176 it sold a year ago. Its redesigned Beetle Coupe more than tripled to 2,622, from 722 a year ago. Its Golf and GTI economy cars jumped 29.5 per cent to 3,250, from 2,509 a year ago.