---
title: Volkswagen Sales Plummet After Emissions Scandal
description: S&P slashed the automakers A- rating
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published: '2015-12-01T20:26:36.000Z'
modified: '2024-04-16T09:12:01.000Z'
section: Business
tags:
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  - emissions
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  - S&P
  - Scandal
  - Volkswagen
word_count: 121
canonical: https://money.com/volkswagen-sales-plummet-scandal/
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> **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![AG Dealerships As Company Pledges To Finish Diesel Recalls By End Of 2016](https://img.money.com/2015/12/491809086.jpg)

If anyone at Volkswagen thought the worst was behind them they may [have](http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/01/volkswagen-november-sales-plunge.html) another thing coming.

U.S. sales of cars built by the German automaker fell by roughly a quarter (24%) in November from a year ago. As a result of plummeting sales figures and general fallout from an emissions scandal that rocked the storied company in recent months, the ratings firm Standard and Poor’s slashed VW’s credit rating from A- to BBB+, reports [CNBC](http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/01/volkswagen-november-sales-plunge.html).

The U.S. is a relatively small market for [Volkswagen](https://content.money.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=4131536&action=edit) but sales globally fell as well, though more modestly, by five percent.

News of Volkswagen’s declining fortunes stand in contrast to [last month’s numbers,](https://money.com/volkswagen-demand-low-inventory/) which showed sales holding steady, buoyed by steep price cuts and other incentives.

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