Press Releases
15 February 2010
Senator Bob Corker Tours Volkswagen Construction Site
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — United States Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) toured the construction site of the new Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations manufacturing facility early Monday morning. This was Senator Corker's first visit to the site since construction began.
The tour of the construction site included stops in the future body shop and the assembly shop. Senator Corker met plant managers of each of the areas as well as from the paint shop and was able to ask questions while getting detailed briefings about each section.
"Overwhelming is the best word to describe this visit. It is overwhelming to see the dramatic changes in the site since we first began developing it over a decade ago. Witnessing firsthand the incredible progress being made in all aspects of the plant's operations is overwhelming and inspiring. I'm more convinced than ever that Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee have a first-rate partner and employer in Volkswagen. When full-scale operations begin at the facility it will mark the beginning of a new economic era for our community," Senator Corker said.
"Senator Corker has worked very hard to make the dream of Volkswagen in Chattanooga a reality," said Frank Fischer, CEO for Volkswagen in Chattanooga. "We are honoured by his keen interest and the confidence he has in us. We are doing our best to make this common dreams come true," Fischer said.
Construction at the facility is on time and has not encountered any work stoppages, despite weather that has been colder and wetter than normal in Chattanooga. Volkswagen in Chattanooga, currently employs nearly 400 people, and just announced that the first group of production workers has begun the orientation process. The plant will eventually employ more than 2,000 workers and is expected to result in as many as 9,500 indirect employees over time.
About Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations LLC
Volkswagen Group of America Inc. will invest $1 billion in its Chattanooga operations and create more than 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 related to the project. The Chattanooga plant will build a new midsize sedan specially designed for the North American market.
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.
