VM courts U.S. buyers as it endeavors to become globe's number one brand

German automobile maker Volkswagen is endeavoring to repeat the unexpected popularity of its Jetta compact in the U.S. as it unveils its new Passat sedan, according to a published report.

VW announced at the beginning of the year that it would lower the price of the Jetta by $1,700 from its $17,700 base price to more actively compete against perennial top sellers like the Toyota Corolla. During the first half of this year, VW experienced a 77 percent surge in Jetta sales as consumers took the bait, and now company officials are hoping that a similar price cut for its Passat will result in a similar sales boost.

VM is striving to become the globe's biggest and most profitable carmaker by 2018 and to accomplish that feat, it is betting on U.S. consumers. This year, company official Jonathan Browning said it hopes to sell 1 million vehicles in the U.S.

"When you look at how the Jetta has done it would be pretty hard to say you're not optimistic about how the Passat is going to do," VW dealer Will Trafton told the news provider. "It's exactly the same playbook."