This story is free to read.

Volkswagen to idle Chattanooga plant production for two weeks

Staff file photo by Erin O. Smith / Volkswagen employees rest for a moment as they await the next vehicle on the assembly line at the automaker's Chattanooga assembly plant. Staff file photo by Erin O. Smith / Volkswagen employees rest for a moment as they await the next vehicle on the assembly line at the automaker's Chattanooga assembly plant.

By Mike Pare March 2, 2018 4 min read

Passat sales slide

U.S. sales of the Chattanooga-made Passat have dropped as buyers move to SUVs and trucks. Below are February Passat sales since 2014:› 2014: 6,997› 2015: 6,309› 2016: 4,380› 2017: 6,114› 2018: 3,036Source: Volkswagen of America

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant, reacting to slowing sales of its Passat sedan and higher demand for the Atlas SUV, will idle production for two weeks this spring, according to the automaker.

“It’s not a secret the market is shifting from sedans and passenger cars to family-friendly SUVs,” plant spokesman Keith King said. “It allows us to correct course a little bit.”

The Chattanooga plant will have nonproduction periods on March 26-29 and April 2-5.

The plant will remain open the first week of nonproduction and the time will be used for training for hourly employees, according to VW.