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Volkswagen Confirms New SUV Will Be Built In Chattanooga
by
Derek Kreindler
(IC: employee)
Published: July 14th, 2014
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Volkswagen will invest $900-million and add 2,000 jobs as part of a decision to build their long-awaited mid-size crossover in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The plant, which already builds the Passat, has been the site of a number of disputes, pitting the UAW and organized labor against an equally passionate opposition that includes the state level government and other anti-UAW entities.
The new crossover, considered a vital part of VW’s success, will be based on VW’s MQB platform, and be produced in 2016.
Derek Kreindler
More by Derek Kreindler
Published July 14th, 2014 9:43 AM
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"Crossover" is, especially in this example, code for "station wagon with oversize wheels". By the way, VW, Volvo called. They want their roof rails back.
Maybe someone at VAG had a sudden, blinding, game-changing insight and decreed: The Americans buy them! We'll build them them there! Crazy ain't it? PS, I am loath to admit this; but we really needs good ole Bertle's spin all this VAG stuff.
This will make a great car for the US. I would take one with a 3 peddle diesel. The diesel for the MPG's and the stick to make ME happy!
This comes at least 15 years too late to get VAG out of the sales hole they've dug for themselves in the U.S. I don't see how this is going to boost the numbers for VW by entering a market that is already saturated with all manner of SUV's. This is probably will be a fine vehicle, but it's very presence screams 'Ich habe nichts.' VW made a name for themselves bringing cars to the US that no one else thought of building, much less importing around the world. Good thing they didn't have their current mindset back when all they had to sell was a rear-engined, air cooled compact car, they'd have looked at the American market and said 'nah, no one will go for that." Why not import or build the Polo and the 3rd gen Sirocco here?