It’s been a long time in the making but Volkswagen will finally open its Chattanooga, Tennessee production plant next Tuesday. The Tennessee factory will play a crucial role in VW’s plan to sell 1 million vehicles annually in the U.S. by 2018.
Because of its importance, VW CEO Martin Winterkorn has taken an active interest in the plant, which will initially make a U.S.-specific version of the Passat sedan. Winterkorn has been involved with pretty much every aspect of the plant, from employee training to the final say on interior trim pieces.
“I have to look at the parts from above, just the way customers will in the car,” Winterkorn said as he examined the chrome trim destined for the Passat’s interior.
The $1 billion plant represents VW’s first U.S. factory since it closed the doors to its Westmoreland, Pennsylvania plant in 1988. The plant will produce up to 150,000 Passats per year, but could be expanded to produce other VW models. An SUV “beefier” than the Touareg has been rumored for the plant, and it’s possible VW could produce some Audi models there. However, no official plans are yet in place.
The Tennessee-built Passats are expected to arrive on VW lots this fall.
References
1.’VW rediscovers…’ view
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