Press Releases
09 February 2010
Volkswagen Welcomes First Production Team Members
Initial group made up entirely of Chattanooga and Hamilton County residents
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations has hired the first group of production workers for its new manufacturing plant this week. Delivering on the promise of job growth for Chattanooga and Hamilton County, 100% of these employees are residents of Hamilton County, Tennessee.
The group, consisting of 22 production team members, will spend three weeks in Volkswagen orientation classes which serve as an introduction to Volkswagen products, culture and efficient manufacturing practices. Some of the production team members will travel to other Volkswagen manufacturing facilities around the world for first-hand experience.
When fully trained, these team members will work in the paint shop, the body shop and the assembly shop once the plant is operational.
"The hiring of our first production team members is another important milestone in this project," said Hans-Herbert Jagla, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Volkswagen in Chattanooga. "As we have said from the beginning, we prioritize hiring as close to the plant as possible—it just makes good sense," Jagla said.
The second group of production team members to be hired will begin the process next week and will also be made up 100 percent of residents from Chattanooga and Hamilton County. The process will continue throughout 2010. The team members will be building a new midsize sedan that is currently undergoing initial quality tests.
About Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations LLC
Volkswagen Group of America Inc. will invest $1 billion in the local economy for the Chattanooga plant and create 2,000 direct jobs in the region. According to independent studies, the new Volkswagen plant is expected to generate $12 billion in income growth and an additional 9,500 jobs over the life of the project. The Chattanooga plant will build a new midsize sedan specially designed for the North American market. Approximately 30 percent of these cars 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 www.volkswagengroupamerica.com.
