MARKET SHAREVW is lagging in capturing American car buyers in preliminary May 2014 figures:• General Motors, 17.6 percent• Ford, 16 percent• Toyota, 14.3 percent• Chrysler, 12.2 percent• Honda, 9.3 percent• Nissan, 8.4 percent• Hyundai-Kia, 8.1 percent• Volkswagen Group, 3.6 percentSource: Kelley Blue BookSUV SALES SURGESport utility vehicles in the U.S. are the fastest-growing auto segments as shown in preliminary May comparisons over a year ago:• Compact SUVs, up 11.9 percent• Midsize SUVs, up 11.9 percent• Full-size pickups, up 7.9 percent• Compact cars, up 4 percent• Midsize cars, up 2.5 percentSource: Kelley Blue Book
Three new red, white and blue Passats sit directly in front of the entrance of Volkswagen’s Chattanooga factory. Painted on the hood of the white sedan is an American flag with the words, “Proudly made in Chattanooga, Tn.”
Autos are one of the few goods Americans buy that are required by law to show if they’re made in the United States.
As VW weighs whether to build a new sport utility vehicle in Chattanooga or Mexico, some experts say that it makes a difference where an auto is made.
“Made in America is incredibly important,” said Alec Gutierrez, a Kelley Blue Book senior analyst.