CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Volkswagen AG Chairman Martin Winterkorn predicts "great success" for the midsize sedan that will be built in Chattanooga starting next year.
Winterkorn toured the German automaker's unfinished $1 billion plant Wednesday and said he enjoyed a test drive of the yet-to-be shown car.
After touring the plant in a group that included Gov. Phil Bredesen, Winterkorn said he is "sure the car will be a great success in the United States."
VW Chattanooga's top executive, Frank Fischer, accompanied Winterkorn and Bredesen on the tour. Fischer said in a July 14 statement that building construction is more than 90 percent completed, more than 400 robots are installed and tests have started on the new car.
The plant has about 900 employees, with another 1,100 hires planned.