Volkswagen of America today reported that sales climbed 17.1 percent in January over the same month a year ago with the Chattanooga-made Passat rising 64.2 percent.

Passat sales totaled 5,887 units last month, sharply higher versus a slowdown in figures a year ago caused by the diesel emission scandal fallout.

Also last month, sales of VW's small Tiguan sport utility vehicle of 3,516 were up 39.1 percent compared to a year ago and marked the SUV's best-ever January, according to the German automaker with an assembly plant in Chattanooga.

Golf SportWagen sales, which includes the all-new Alltrack, totaled 2,047 units, an increase of 189.9 percent.

Total VW January sales were 23,510 units, the company reported.