In this March 22, 2012, file photo, workers assemble a Passat sedan at Volkswagen AG's plant in Chattanooga, Tenn.Gary Heywood has been named director of purchasing at Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant.
Heywood has served as the general manager for commodities at the Chattanooga factory since July 2011.
Previously, he served as head of powertrain and metal purchasing at Bentley Motors in Crewe, England. His new assignment begins Aug. 1.
Heywood's predecessor, Tom Loafman, will leave Chattanooga to assume the role of director of purchasing for Bentley Motors Limited in Crewe.
Loafman joined Volkswagen Group of America in January of 2007 and built a purchasing organization to support the design, development, sourcing, and production of the North American Passat.