Here and real.
That’s the message Volkswagen officials said they delivered Thursday after putting 700 North American dealers behind the steering wheels of new Jettas and showing off the carmaker’s $1 billion plant in the city.
“We want all dealers to understand about VW’s growth plans in the U.S.,” said Robert Martell, VW of America’s general manager of dealer relations.
Thursday, in redesigned 2011 Jettas, the dealers made the two-hour drive to Chattanooga from Atlanta, where they’re having business meetings this week.
Today, Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn is to address the group in Atlanta. They’ll also see the new midsize sedan VW will make in Chattanooga as well as the latest generation Beetle.
Jason Kuhn, a Tampa, Fla., businessman who is chairman of VW’s dealer council, said the Mexico-made Jetta compact, the yet-unnamed midsize sedan, and the New Beetle will be home runs for the automaker.
Kuhn cited the company’s commitment to the U.S. market and said it will translate into higher sales.
“The optimism can be felt by all the dealers,” he said. “This brand will be selling a lot of cars.”
VW wants to triple sales in the U.S. and hit the 1 million mark by 2018. Boosting North American volume is seen as key to the automaker’s goal to overtake Toyota as the world’s No. 1 carmaker by sales.
Jonathan Browning, VW Group of America’s new CEO, made the trip to Chattanooga with Kuhn but wasn’t available for comment.
In a statement, Browning said the dealers are “the linchpin for our strategy to grow business here in America.”
Martell said the midsize sedan is “absolutely critical” for meeting VW’s sales goals. He said the midsize car segment is the largest in the U.S.
VW’s Chattanooga plant is slated to start production early next year and employ over 2,000 people.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.