The remarkable success of the Volkswagen Passat is of more than passing interest to residents of Chattanooga, Hamilton County and the surrounding area. That's because our city's massive Volkswagen plant at Enterprise South industrial park is manufacturing the Passat -- for apparently high numbers of eager buyers.

Boosted by a more than 14 percent increase in sales of Passats last month, Volkswagen had its best December in the United States in almost four decades, the Times Free Press reported. Overall U.S. VW sales hit more than 32,500 in December, the most since 1972.

It certainly didn't hurt that the Passat had recently been named Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year. That prestigious honor has drawn additional attention to the Passat and, by extension, to the VW manufacturing facility in Chattanooga that employs thousands of local workers and benefits our entire local economy.

"We're pleased with the reception of Passat in the marketplace," said Jonathan Browning, chief executive of VW of America.

Trust us, Mr. Browning: So are we!