When hundreds of Volkswagen dealers drive from Atlanta to Chattanooga today in 2011 Jettas, the convoy is expected to make a statement about the company's focus in the United States.
More than 700 VW dealers from North America are to arrive this morning at the automaker's Chattanooga factory test driving the all-new Jetta.
"It's going to give everybody a chance to see what VW is going to do for this place," said Brian Duke, customer relations manager at Al Johnson Volkswagen in Dalton, Ga., about the Chattanooga area.
The dealers are in Atlanta this week for an annual meeting.
Dale Smith, general manager of Village Volkswagen in Chattanooga, said the dealers will drive to Chattanooga in Jettas color-coordinated by region of the country.
The group is scheduled to tour the plant, Smith said. All the cars will be left in Chattanooga and the dealers will be taken by bus back to Atlanta to finish their conference, he said.
Smith said he's interested in finding out about new products.
"I hope some of those future products they plan to put out of the Chattanooga plant," he said. "I know there will be something else. They've got plenty of space."
Frank Fischer, VW's chief executive in Chattanooga, said in August t hat officials are looking at a second vehicle to produce at the plant. VW has already announced it plans to produce a new midsize sedan.
The $1 billion Chattanooga plant is to start production early next year. Auto analysts have said a second car or a small crossover utility vehicle could be assembled there. Audi also has been mentioned as a prospect.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or (423) 757-6318.