Volkswagen officials told many of its suppliers Tuesday they expect its Chattanooga-made car to launch early next year at the top of its class in terms of quality.
"We're not going to launch a vehicle in the middle of the pack," said Thomas Loafman, VW Group of America's director of purchasing. "We're looking to launch the vehicle at the top of the segment."
VW met in the city with about 190 chief executives and top officials of suppliers to the new midsize sedan that will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show in about a month.
Loafman told the group VW is on track to start production of the yet unnamed car early next year.
"You need to be on time," he said to the executives, adding they need to ensure their suppliers are set to go as well.
The group visited the plant and saw vehicles on the assembly line. VW is already producing test cars at its $1 billion Chattanooga plant at Enterprise South industrial park.
Jeff Fuller, general manager of supplier Chattanooga Seating Systems, said it's prepared for production to start.
Fuller said the seat maker in VW's adjacent supplier park has equipment in place and personnel trained.
"We're ready," he said. Fuller said it has hired about 25 percent of the 140 workers it expects to bring on once VW is in full production later in 2011.
Concerning quality, Loafman said VW's goal is to be at the top of the ratings.
"VW is a very critical customer - critical in terms of what we expect," he said.
In November a survey in Consumer Reports showed VW's reliability rose slightly from a year ago. But the German automaker remained in the middle of the pack, ranking 16th among 27 makes.
Loafman told the suppliers that when VW succeeds in Chattanooga, they'll have a chance to grow with the automaker in the United States.
"It's a great opportunity to share that success with you," he said.
SEDAN NAME
The name of VW's new midsize sedan made in Chattanooga is expected to be revealed Jan. 9 when the car makes its debut in Detroit.