Volkswagen of America released its sales figures for the month of August, and TDI diesel models continue to make up a significant percentage of its passenger-car deliveries.

VW sold 40,342 cars in August, only the third time in 40 years that sales have surpassed 40,000 units in a single month, according to the company.

With 12,257 units sold in August, diesels made up 24.3 percent of that total. Thus far, diesel have made up roughly one-quarter of Volkswagen’s 2013 sales to date.

In the case of the Passat, Volkswagen’s entry into the popular midsize sedan segment, TDI models made up a remarkable 43.8 percent of sales for August, totaling 4,470 units.

MORE: 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI Review

The compact Jetta sedan’s August total included 3,825 diesels, accounting for 28.3 percent.

TDI models also outsold gasoline counterparts in a few cases. They made up 74 percent of Jetta Sportwagen sales for August, 53.1 percent of Golf sales, and 51.9 percent of Touareg sales.

The lowest TDI take rates were for the Beetle (13.8 percent) and Beetle convertible (16.6 percent).

2014 Volkswagen Jetta

2014 Volkswagen Jetta

As well as diesels, Volkswagen also makes hybrid versions of the Jetta sedan and Touareg, which made up a low 5.3 percent and 1.0 percent of sales, respectively.

VW sees the increase in diesel sales as an indication that customers are warming up to compression ignition.

“It really shows the acceptance that diesel technology is achieving,” Jonathan Brown, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said in a statement, noting that the August sales were helped somewhat by year-end incentives.

The sales boost plays right into a strategy centered around presenting diesel as an achievable way to boost fuel efficiency today.

Volkswagen and corporate sibling Audi are urging diesel-friendly regulations, in an attempt to get the same perks for diesel vehicles that plug-in hybrids and battery electric cars currently enjoy.

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