VW Rolls The Dice With $1 Billion Factory - But Do You Think They Will FINALLY Succeed In The US?

Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn was losing patience with the staff at VW’s new factory in Chattanooga. It was January, and Winterkorn had just presented a U.S. version of the Passat sedan at the Detroit Auto Show. As the plant prepared for its official opening on May 24, workers were struggling with the Passat’s paint finishes, while the chrome accents in the air vents, door openings, and gear shifts didn’t all shine with the same brilliance.



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Steve - 5/20/2011 3:14:58 PM

+2 Boost

The new UAW slogan: Let Us Do For You, What We've Done for GM!

uaw_lax - 5/21/2011 1:40:49 PM

-1 Boost

Sorry where doing just fine sportsbike. No one pays you any attention with your anti union anti people comments. If your big business then work for walmart or better yet work for free.

chewy - 5/20/2011 6:01:25 PM

+2 Boost

A good target for the Passat is 10,000 monthly sales or a little short of the plant capacity. Eventually I see VW building a crossover at the plant aswell.

Neverfollow - 5/20/2011 7:04:04 PM

+1 Boost

I've met Dr Winterkorn on a few occasions and I have every confidence in his abilities to get the job done. This guy is focused and respected by everyone in the industry and will not accept failure or even an average performane from anyone. He didn't get promoted to the "BIG" job for nothing.

mini22 - 5/21/2011 12:30:19 AM

+2 Boost

The Jetta I agree has been dumbed down for the US specifically because of it's cheap plastics and lack of IRS. That's an easy fix for VW. The Passat has IRS and does not have the cheap plastics. The styling on both is conservative. However in the Passat the interior materials are class competative. If the suspension is tuned ok it should be fine.As for sales VW is already selling more Jetta's then they have in a long time. It may not be a car enthusiast dream but the general public likes it.

uaw_lax - 5/21/2011 1:38:30 PM

+1 Boost

I think we "dumb" Americans should be paid back for our contributions in both world wars.

MorePower - 5/21/2011 1:48:51 PM

+2 Boost

Europe will never thank us, monetarily, for that anymore than we have already enjoyed.

Salahs2, what country are you from?

Lamborghini_vs_Ferrari_Racer - 5/21/2011 1:12:24 PM

+1 Boost

^ We are dumb, which is the reason we are the most powerful nation in the world and made a difference in not 1 but 2 World Wars? Back to topic please, no personal insults....since without us, your country would be worse of and without you, ours' This is a give and take relationship.

richard112360 - 5/22/2011 9:09:39 PM

0 Boost

Drove a brand new 2011 VW Jetta rental recently I was not impressed at all with the quality of the interior. Cheap Hard plastics every where you touched!

gerge - 5/25/2011 8:01:12 AM

+2 Boost

nice article