Volkswagen wants to grow its footprint and sales in the US.
The new plant would be built alongside the current one.
Volkswagen is considering a second plant in Chattanooga, TN, and there are many reasons why this idea is on the table. CEO Herbert Diess has said that the automaker could do better in the US (and Canada). One way to increase their presence would be with a second plant.
Other reasons behind the potential move would be to reduce VW’s dependence on China which is by far the automaker’s largest market. This line of thinking is also, in part, a reaction to events such as the war in Ukraine and global supply line issues.
While no official decision or statement has been made, News Channel 9 reports that the new plant would be built right alongside the existing one. Should the factory be assembled, VW’s US production could grow to 600,000 annually. And let’s not forget that Volkswagen is also contemplating Chattanooga for a battery plant in the near future.
Volkswagen’s US market share was 2.5% last year meaning there’s room to grow. The current Chattanooga plant officially opened on May 24th, 2011 and employs about 3,800 people.
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