Executive Speeches
14 May 2009
Remarks by
Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of
Volkswagen AG
Chattanooga Production Facility Wall Raising Ceremony
Governor Bredesen,
Mayor Ramsey, Mayor Littlefield,
Ambassador Scharioth,
Dear employees of Volkswagen Chattanooga Operations,
And all our distinguished guests and friends,
Welcome to Volkswagen in Chattanooga!
Welcome to our future home base here in the United States!
First of all, I'd like to ask for your understanding that our CEO, Prof. Dr. Winterkorn, cannot be with us today as initially planned.
As you may have read, we are currently working on the structure of an integrated automotive Group comprised of Volkswagen and Porsche.
So, of course, there are many important short notice meetings that our CEO needs to attend these days.
But: Dr. Winterkorn asked me to send his very best regards to all of you and the entire US Volkswagen team today.
Ladies and gentlemen,
For Volkswagen and for me personally, this is a very special day.
And I feel proud and privileged to share it with you.
This new plant sends a clear and strong message:
- For the State of Tennessee,
- For Volkswagen,
- And for the entire automotive industry.
Volkswagen believes in the United States as a great nation of cars. And we believe in a promising future for Volkswagen here in Tennessee — here in Chattanooga.
We are of course aware of the global economic situation, and right in the middle of this crisis, Volkswagen is investing one billion Dollars in this new plant here in Chattanooga.
And we are not cutting back on our plans for three important reasons:
First: The automobile will always be an essential part of the American way of life!
- We do not see a light at the end of the recession yet.
- And no one knows how long it will last.
But we do know this:
- Business will pick up again!
- Consumer confidence will recover!
- And Volkswagen needs to be ready!
You know that we have big plans in the U.S.: We want to triple our annual sales by 2018!
And Chattanooga is a major milestone on our way to becoming a leading foreign automaker!
Second: The key to getting there is great vehicles for American drivers!
- Cars made in the United States just for American customers!
- Cars that are truly Volkswagen!
- And that means: Both green and attractive!
The New Midsize Sedan from Chattanooga will be the backbone of our success in the US.
And Volkswagen can offer a whole lot more:
- The most exciting lineup in years.
- Cutting-edge German engineering.
- Powerful engines with lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions.
- And, of course, CleanDiesel technology, like in the Jetta and Touareg TDI.
- And there's a third reason to locate our new plant right here in Tennessee!
- Tennessee is "America at its best"!
- And Chattanooga simply is the very best location for Volkswagen.
We are delighted to see so many skilled and motivated people who want to help build Volkswagen's future.
With 2,000 direct new jobs, and many more at local suppliers, Volkswagen will be a real job engine for the entire region!
Moreover, we know that Chattanooga is a green city, and not only in terms of its landscape.
People here have been front-runners of sustainable growth for many decades now.
Just like Volkswagen is a front-runner in green mobility:
- We are pushing ahead with eco-technologies for everyone.
- And our Group is investing a lot of money and effort into the future of driving, into electric cars and bio fuels.
Let me put it like this:
- Chattanooga is green.
- Volkswagen is green.
- And our new plant is going to be a state-of-the-art, green factory!
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our mission is to bring Volkswagen into the hearts and minds of the American people! That is where we belong!
I don't know about you, but I feel that here in Chattanooga, this mission is already a reality!
I'd like to thank the people of Tennessee and Chattanooga for the warm welcome and all the trust they have given us.
Volkswagen will be a good neighbor, partner and committed citizen of this Community and State.
In particular, I'd like to thank Governor Bredesen, Senators Alexander and Corker, Congressman Wamp and Mayors Ramsey and Littlefield for their wonderful support!
We appreciate all the hard work by the County, City and State in meeting our ambitious plans.
Last but not least I would like to thank Frank Fischer and the entire team of Volkswagen Chattanooga Operations for everything that has been achieved so far!
It's great to see that we are on track to begin production of the first New Midsize Sedan from Chattanooga in early 2011.
There is no doubt about it, we have a lot of hard work ahead of us.
But I am confident that together we can build a new, shining example of US-German partnership!
Chattanooga's the best place to do so!
So let's go for it!
Thank you very much!
