The Passat has sold 30 million vehicles worldwide.
The Volkswagen Passat has become a record-breaker after the 30 millionth vehicle rolled off the production line at the brand's plant in Emden.
No other mid-range model and no other business vehicle globally has been sold more often than the Passat, making it a bestseller and – along with the Golf and the Beetle – one of the three bestselling Volkswagen cars of all time.
The 30 millionth vehicle was a Passat GTE Variant with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a Pyrite Silver Metallic exterior.
Volkswagen launched production of the model in May 1973 under the motto 'the beginning of a new VW era'. It was part of a new family of vehicles to feature water-cooled engines, front-wheel drive and all-steel chassis, and became the successor to the VW 1600.
Today, the Passat is produced on three continents in ten plants for more than 100 markets. The eighth generation will soon be launched as a saloon with a new technical setup that means it can be partially driven with assisted driving if desired.
Chief operating officer of Volkswagen Ralf Brandstatter said: "The Passat is one of Volkswagen's most important and most successful cars. We are proud of this model, which is still the benchmark within its class today."