Volkswagen expanding electric vehicle production in US
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - Volkswagen is making Tennessee its North American base for electric vehicle production, breaking ground on an $800 million (727 million euro) expansion at its plant in Chattanooga.
Volkswagen of America CEO Scott Keogh spoke at the expansion's groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, calling electric vehicles 'œthe future of mobility.'ť
'œVolkswagen will build them for millions, not just millionaires," he vowed.
The company will build both internal combustion engine and battery powered vehicles on the same assembly line.
The 'œID CROZZ'ť models - ID stands for intelligent design - will be initially be made in Germany, while Volkswagen completes a 564,000-square-foot (52,397-square-meter) addition to the Chattanooga body shop. Production will begin in Chattanooga in 2022. The plant, which employs about 3,800 people, will add about 1,000 new jobs.