Dozens of new Passats made at the Chattanooga Volkswagen assembly plant are seen parked outside the plant recently. Staff photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press

Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant has gone from assembling test cars to making 2012 Passats that dealers will be able to show to buyers as production of customer vehicles is about to ramp up.

Guenther Scherelis, general manager of communication for VW in Chattanooga, said plans are to make several thousand of the vehicles. The cars are expected to be delivered to dealers, which will be able to let potential buyers drive, he said.

But, Passats aren't expected to go on sale until the third quarter.

See full story in Saturday's Times Free Press.