Volkswagen Boosts Profit, Edges Up Prices

German auto maker Volkswagen said its second-quarter profit jumped 57% to about $367 million, much better than the 26% growth analysts expected, as it boosted sales in the U.S. and Brazil and paid less tax. VW, which is Europe’s largest auto maker, said sales grew 9.6% to about $31.7 billion. Separately, VW said prices on many of its 2001 models will remain unchanged, but an increase in the price of its popular Passat sedan lineup led to an overall average increase of $4 a car, or 0.02%, from previous-year prices. The Passat’s starting base price is rising $250 to $21,450, VW said. Meanwhile, Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. said that the 2001 Sienna minivan’s price will increase 2.7%, or $703, and that the 2001 Tundra full-size pickup truck will see an overall increase of 1.7%, or $422.