Gov. Haslam: VW committed to Chattanooga plant expansion

The Chattanooga Volkswagen assembly plant, located in the Enterprise South industrial park, is photographed on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Chattanooga Volkswagen assembly plant, located in the Enterprise South industrial park, is photographed on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said today that a settlement with the federal government over the diesel emissions scandal won't restrict any future expansion plans at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant.

"In fact, they have committed to bringing even more jobs to Chattanooga," said Haslam in a statement. "Volkswagen is incredibly important to Chattanooga and the state's economy."

VW is pleading guilty to three criminal charges and will pay $4.3 billion to the U.S. government for cheating on emissions tests and destroying evidence in an elaborate cover-up.

The government also said a grand jury has returned an indictment against six VW executives and employees for their roles in the scheme.

Haslam said he has spoken with Volkswagen officials several times over the last couple of days and received assurances from the automaker.

"So the future is bright for our workforce, and VW can continue doing what it does best, which is building great cars in Tennessee," Haslam said.

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