Volkswagen announced today the beginning of series production of the new Atlas SUV in their Chattanooga plant in Tennessee.
This marks the beginning of the process of building inventory for the market introduction of the Atlas later in 2017.
VW’s new seven-seater SUV aims to win the hearts of US customers and to contribute in repairing the post-Dieselgate relationship with them.
“The Atlas marks a brand new journey for Volkswagen as we enter deeper into the heart of the American market, moving from a small-car brand towards a more family-friendly lineup,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, CEO of the North America Region, Volkswagen. “We are so proud that this vehicle was not only designed for the American market, but we built it in our factory right here in Tennessee.”
The new Atlas will be built next to the existing Passat line, with the Chattanooga plant growing its workforce to meet the production demands. Overall, VW’s US plant currently employs 2,800 people -up from 2,400 this summer- and will continue to grow throughout the ramp up of the new VW Atlas.
VW has invested an additional $900 million in the facilities, which included the addition of over 665,000 square feet of extra space – a 26 percent total increase in production area.
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