Volkswagen chooses Jacksonville as SE port

February 12, 2015 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated February 11, 2015 at 11:50 p.m.

by Associated Press

Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant
Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant
photo Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant
Volkswagen Group of America on Wednesday named the Port of Jacksonville, Fla., as its Southeastern port, including the export of most of its vehicles made in Chattanooga which go overseas.

VW, Audi and Bentley will import and distribute vehicles through the port, with plans of transporting about 550,000 units in the next five years, the company said.

In the past, VW has used the port at Brunswick, Ga., according to VW. A small number of Passats will continue to be shipped from Brunswick, the company said.

David Geanacopoulos, the company's executive vice president for public affairs, said the move is part of its strategy of bring VW products closer to its customers. Florida is VW's second largest market behind California, he said.

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