SITE MAP  |  MOBILE  |  EMAILS  |  SUBSCRIBE  | ARCHIVES  |  CONTACT US  |  ADVERTISE  |  PROMOTIONS  |  SUBMIT EVENTS  |  FEEDBACK  |  PLACE AN AD  |  RSS FEEDS
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 , 12:01 a.m.

Tennessee: 3 states wait for VW plant decision

Included in this article

TimesFreePress Audio
Jim Bruce

Volkswagen AG’s top managers put off an expected recommendation on a U.S. assembly plant site, even as a new report touted Tennessee and Alabama each landing VW facilities.

The company’s supervisory board, the equivalent of a U.S. board of directors, is scheduled to meet July 15, with a decision on a plant site likely to be announced afterward.

There could be several reasons why VW officials didn’t make a decision Tuesday on a new plant site when its management board met in Frankfurt, Germany, said Jim Bruce, president of industry site consulting firm Bruce Facility Planning Consultants of Atlanta.

“It could be incentives,” he said, adding that states may be asking VW to hold off an announcement until they complete offers.

Or, he said, Volkswagen managers are “dotting i’s, crossing t’s and making sure everything is triple-checked.”

The German automaker said its management board met for a few hours Tuesday but did not choose among Alabama, Tennessee and Michigan.

Mike Randle, who runs an industry Web site, SouthernAutoCorridor.com, said more than one source has told him Volkswagen is eyeing plants in Tennessee and Alabama.

Volkswagen officials are looking at a site in Limestone County, Ala., near Huntsville, for the German automaker’s first U.S. assembly plant in 20 years, he said. But a major project involving Volkswagen is earmarked for Enterprise South Industrial Park in Chattanooga, and the project is believed to be the automaker’s engine and drive-train facility, he said.

Mr. Randle cited Nissan’s assembly plant in Smyrna, Tenn., and its drive-train plant in Decherd, Tenn., about an hour away, as an example of an automaker having two facilities near each other. The Decherd plant employs about 1,200 people; the assembly plant has about 5,600 workers.

Having two major facilities in a pair of states would give VW more political clout, he said.

“It gives you four senators instead of two and two governors instead of one,” Mr. Randle said.

Mr. Bruce said Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker, is large enough to handle startup investments at two plants. And “they don’t have the (engine) operation in the U.S. right now,” he said.

WHAT’S NEXT

The company's supervisory board, the equivalent of a U.S. board of directors, is scheduled to meet next Tuesday, with a decision likely to be announced afterward.

However, Chattanooga officials said they are continuing to work for the assembly plant project, which eventually could mean 2,000 jobs. In addition, there could be double that number of supplier jobs in the area for the winner of the VW assembly project, officials said.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen is vacationing this week, the governor’s director of communications, Michael Drescher, confirmed.

“If something were to happen, he’s reachable,” Mr. Drescher said.

Article: Chattanooga: VW may seek federal loans

Article:Chattanooga: VW Thing is the thing, car buff says

Article: Chattanooga: VW plant plans undeterred

Article: Hamilton County Commission approves Enterprise South projects

Article: Chattanooga: EMJ lands VW work from city

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/sep/30/chattanooga-willkommen/

Article: Chattanooga: Willkommen

Article: Tennessee: State plans to pursue VW engine facility

Article: Chattanooga: City gets 1st dibs VW says local minority companies to get first

Article: Chattanooga: Manufacturing as tourism

Article: Chattanooga: Expected growth puts city, county in planning mode

Article: Transportation center eyed in Tennessee valley

Article: Chattanooga: State cash flows to VW

Article: Athens: VW reaches out to the region

Article: Tennessee: VW rep to talk with McMinn businessment

Article:Hamilton County: Officials work on education plan

Article: Washington: VW declares its readiness for the U.S. market

Article: Chattanooga: Workers move toward Nov. 1 construction start

Article: Chattanooga: Bredesen, others plan Germany trip to win VW suppliers

Article: Chattanooga: Students rate new VW College event mixes marketing, instruction

Article: Chattanooga: Alexander wants EPA to enforce clean air rule

Article: Students at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga get look into VW

Article: Georgia eyes VW suppliers

Article: Tennessee: State incentives make European firms lick chops

Article: Chattanooga: VW rolls out new car in stopover

Article: Chattanooga: Jackson named local president

Article:Chattanooga: VW move boosts hose distributor

Article: Chattanooga: VW chief sees automaker meeting targets

Article: Chattanooga: Schools advised to stress tech Counsul says German would aid VW ties

Article:Georgia: Leaders collaborate to be “Work Ready” for VW

Article:Chattanooga: Realtors advised to blog way to VW business

Article: Tennessee: Area counties to cooperate, compete over VW

Article:Chattanooga: VW plant pushes road work timetable

Video: Moving dirt at VW site

PDF: VW Economic Impact Study

PDF: CBER Analysis

Chattanooga: Record incentives package sparks taxing debate

Article: Chattanooga: Supplier staffs to outsize VW’s

Article: Chattanooga: VW incentives, investment records in state

Article:Chattanooga: VW managers seek temporary housing

Article: Chattanooga: Plant to drive business real estate

Article: Chattanooga: VW moves to 3rd in sales ranking

Article: Chattanooga: Volkswagen could expand market for defense contractors

Article: Chattanooga: Puddles, mud hinder VW work

Article: Grant to build on Cleveland VW plans

Article: Chattanooga: Volkswagen raises expectations, but observers see gradual impact

Article: Cleveland leaders want to syncplanning on VW

Article: Chattanooga: Mayor: VW worth the cost

Article: Chattanooga: VW celebration represents shift in consumer thinking, experts say

Article: Chattanooga: Vendors look toward VW event

Article: Chattanooga: Alexander, officials tour VW site

Article: Cleveland chamber may help on VW billboard

Article:Chattanooga: ORNL sees VW ties Talks held between research lab, automaker

Article: Chattanooga: VW site to dwarf other city landmarks

Article: Chattanooga: Carmaker names city plant boss

Article: Chattanooga: Area officials seek VW suppliers

Article: Hamilton County: Supplier readies for VW Plastics company Lookout plans $1 million upgrade

Article: Chattanooga: Area officials seek VW suppliers

Article: Cars outselling trucks 2 to 1 in Hamilton County

Article: Chattanooga: VW site, building talks start

Article: Chattanooga: VW hydrogen vehicle coming here in national tour

Article:http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/aug/12/chattanooga-educational-landscape-undergo-facelift/

Article: Hamilton County school system prepares for Volkswagen

Article: Chattanooga planning $40 million bond for VW site work

Article: Group seeks glimpse of Chattanooga's future

Article: VW pushes to start plant work; ready supplier sites needed

Article: Chattanooga: VW hiring first wave of workers

Article: Chattanooga: VW interviewing for jobs

Article:Chattanooga: VW plant to be size of 2 TVA facilities

Article: VW committed to expanding U.S. market share

Article: Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia counties prepare for VW suppliers

Article: UTC seeking business partners

Article: VW not expected to impact area auto mechanics programs

Article: VW taking spot in minivan market Routan sees main challenge in Odyssy

Article: Industrial Development Board approves VW site contract

Article: Revving up U.S. sales

Article: Chattanooga: Volkswagen eyes added vehicles at plant

Article: Tennessee: Volkswagen plant not likely to affect Corridor K funding

Article: Chattanooga: VW changes spur S.C. visits

Article: Chattanooga: VW plant could spur high-speed rail link

Article: Volkswagen jobs to lure national talent

Article: Bradley eyeing growth

Article: VW plans called a boost for Cleveland science wing

Article: VW could double Chattanooga's economic growth

Article: Officials with VW ask about snakes, bugs

Article: Chattanooga: Wamp, Alexander corral federal funds for Enterprise South

Article: VW plant promises to reduce effect here of nation's real estate-inspired economic woes

Article: VW incentives largest in state

Article: VW sees early jobs surge

Article: VW back in town to talk plant timeline

Article: German Sister Cities group pleased by friendliness here

Article: Chattanooga: Local leaders show support for Volkswagen

Article: VW Memories

Article:Chattanooga: Fueling demand for diesel

Article: Chattanooga: VW connection here more than just cars

Article: Tennessee drives for bigger automotive stake

Article: Chattanooga: 'Choo Choo' hit right note with Volkswagen

Article: Claude Ramsey's dream comes true at last

Article: VW timeline

Article: What others are saying about VW

Article: Growing airport to be ready for VW

PDF: Chattanooga VW promo

Article: Making connections for Volkswagen plant site

Article: Chattanooga: Volkswagen trying to reconnect with American car buyers

Article: Chattanooga: Schools preparing for VW arrival

Article: Chattanooga: County mayor stresses education for VW jobs

Article: Volkswagen trying to reconnect with American car buyers

Article: Area’s business confidence swept upward

Article: Share your VW memories

Article: Chattanooga: VW to gobble energy

Article: Chattanooga: VW is fourth manufacturer to pick TVA “megasite

Video: County Mayor Ramsey on VW

PDF: Perdue VW letter

Article: Chattanooga: Job fair to meet tight VW timelines

Article: Chattanooga: Handshakes, ground breaking for VW

Article: Chattanooga: State, local incentives for VW called part of the 'game'

Slideshow: VW plant coming to Chattanooga

Article: Chattanooga 'best fit' for VW, CEO says

Video: VW plant

Article: Chattanooga: VW considers profitable strategy

Article: Chattanooga: Other industry sought

Article: Chattanooga State to help train workers for new plant

Article: Hamilton County: Drivers in VW recruitment 'realize dream'

Article: Chattanooga: Assembly plant brings jobs, research and development

Article: Chattanooga: Regional suppliers will feel ripples from VW's impact

PDF: By the Numbers

Article: Chattanooga: VW incentives could top $400 million over 20 years

PDF: Tennessee Tool kit

Article: Georgians thrilled by boost to economy

Article: Chattanooga: Local residents excited about VW plant

Video: Volkswagen Plant

Article: Chattanooga: Wetland plan quietly moves ahead at site

Photo: Chattanooga Times Free Press prints special section

Flashpaper: TFP Volkswagen Special Edition

PDF: Volkswagen media release

Article: Chattanooga lands VW plant

Article: VW revealing plant decision

Article: VAAP site work, recruiting helped prepare city for possible auto plant

Article: Foreign investors stoking growth

Article: Strict Nissan energy-saving rules put music on batteries

Article: Nissan plant's impact on community 'significant'

Article: Green card may belp gain VW

Article: VW to spend $1billion on plant investment

Article: States await VW plant decision

Article: Chattanooga still in VW plant hunt, observers say

Article:Nashville: Bredesen hopeful new incentive will help state lure big businesses

PDF: Technical corrections amendment

Article: Dueling megasites:

Article: Alabama touts 'Rocket City' site

Article:Chattanooga: Enterprise South levels playing field

Article: Tennessee Valley Authority megasites lure automobile industries

Article: State OKs $1.25 million for Enterprise South preparation

Article: Chattanooga: VW suppliers would bring jobs by thousands

Article: Chattanooga: VW-Audi moves to new facility

Article: Chattanooga: Volkswagen gets down to details in plant deal

Article: Chattanooga: VW concludes U.S. contracts

Article: Chattanooga: VW reps visit city, other sites

Article: VW plant could make Porsche, Audi vehicles

Efforts to contact Mark Drury, assistant commissioner of communications and creative services for the state's Department of Economic and Community Development, were unsuccessful.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm told reporters Tuesday she realizes it will be tough to draw a Volkswagen plant to Michigan.

“But we’ve put everything we’ve got on the table," she said.

She has met with company leaders, she said, and Michigan has the kind of skilled workers Volkswagen needs. “We have been in there slugging,” she said.

Automotive News’ sister European newsletter has said the site near Huntsville, Ala., is the lead candidate, though Tennessee is a close second and Michigan no longer is under consideration.

The newsletter said VW may use the new assembly factory to build a Jetta sedan and an all-new sedan that will be about the same size as the VW Passat. A long-wheelbase version of the Tiquan sports utility vehicle and Audi’s forthcoming Q5 sports utility vehicle also are being considered for production at the plant, the newsletter said.

Staff writer Andy Sher contributed to this story.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Comments

Funny...www.al.com...says that the Alabama site is the choice.


0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
By: Anonymous Name | Username: taters | On: July 9, 2008 at 7:31 a.m.

Post a comment

Commenting requires registration.

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:

Posted comments do not represent the opinions of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Profanities, slurs and libelous remarks are prohibited. To view complete guidelines for submitting content, comments and feedback, click here.

Share This...

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Subscribe Here!
Beekeeper profile

TOP HOMES

TOP JOBS
DIRECTORIES
BRIDAL | TRAVEL
HOME | NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | MULTIMEDIA | BLOGS | PHOTOS
COMMUNITY | FYI
JOBS | HOMES | CARS | SHOP
Search:
Site | Archives | Web
View entire Site Map
Community: News | Correspondents
© Copyright, permissions and privacy policy Copyright ©2008, Chattanooga Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Publishing Company, Inc.