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Volkswagen Group of America Announces Formation of Chattanooga Manufacturing Company

Posted on: Monday, 12 January 2009, 09:00 CST

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen Group of America today announced the formation of its new manufacturing company, Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, LLC, to be based in Chattanooga, Tenn. At a community briefing regarding the progress of the new Chattanooga facility, the company also unveiled the architectural renderings for the $1 billion plant.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090112/CLM045 )

"2009 will be a big year for Volkswagen in Chattanooga, and I am pleased with the continued progress we have made at the plant. With the formation of the manufacturing company, the architectural renderings and construction set to begin on the paint shop, we are well on track to meet all our scheduled milestones," said Frank Fischer, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations. "Our commitment to manufacturing in the U.S. is reinforced at the highest levels of our company. The Chattanooga facility is a critical part of our 2018 strategy and will be a benchmark for all future plants across the company."

The architectural renderings of the plant show an integrated assembly, paint and body shop, with a full-scale training center located immediately adjacent to the facility. The training center, developed in conjunction with Chattanooga State Community College will include a lean/corporate training center, a basic training center focused on the production processes, an advanced training center focused on the automotive components, an apprenticeship training center and a conference center. The training facility is scheduled to be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2009.

Progress also continues for hiring and supplier procurement. The company, which now has a head count of close to 100 full time employees, is preparing to move into new office space at Chestnut Towers in downtown Chattanooga in the first week of February. Those employees whose work is directly related to the construction of the new plant will remain at the Discovery Drive office space.

Additionally, equipment procurement for the paint shop has been issued, and more than 10 meetings with additional suppliers have been scheduled for the week of January 12 alone.

"In a tough economic climate, Volkswagen is pleased to be bringing jobs and investment to Tennessee," Fischer said. "We appreciate the commitment from our state and local partners and look forward to an eventful year."

With an 18 percent downturn in automobile sales for the U.S. market in 2008, Volkswagen Group of America sales remained close to its 2007 totals. As a result, the company's U.S. market share increased more than 20 percent. Additionally, Volkswagen Group globally saw an increase in overall sales in 2008.

Last year, Volkswagen Group of America announced plans to invest $1 billion in a new production facility in Chattanooga, Tenn. The plant will build a new mid-size sedan designed specifically for the U.S. market and is destined to play a key role in meeting the company's long-term goals. The plant will create 2,000 direct jobs in the region. According to studies, the new plant is expected to generate $12 billion in income growth and an additional 9,500 jobs over the life of the project. Start of production is slated for early 2011, with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles, 30 percent of which will be powered by Volkswagen's TDI clean diesel technology.

About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the world's third largest automaker and the largest carmaker in Europe. It houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as well as VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, the company's headquarters are in Herndon, Va.

Volkswagen Group of America brings to the U.S. vehicles that marry the science of engineering and the art of styling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and environmentally sound automobiles that are competitive and set world standards in their respective classes.

The company has approximately 2,500 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through an 800-strong dealer network. With increasing popularity for its brands in the U.S., the company has set the goal of reaching one million car sales in the country by 2018.

For more information, visit http://www.volkswagengroupamerica.com .

SOURCE Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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