A new report says Volkswagen is eyeing assembly of three electric vehicle models in North America and is expected to decide if Chattanooga will be the production site by year’s end.
Automotive News reported that Thomas Ulbrich, member of VW brand’s executive board responsible for electric mobility, said Chattanooga is a fit but there’s no decision so far.
During a presentation at the former VW Phaeton factory in Dresden, Ulbrich said three VW brand EVs are slated for North America, according to Automotive News.
The Volkswagen I.D. Crozz, an electric crossover, is expected to be its first and most popular battery-powered vehicle for the U.S. Others might include a larger seven-seat SUV and the retro-styled I.D. Buzz minivan, based off of the iconic VW Microbus.
The Chattanooga VW plant, which employs about 3,500 employees, currently makes the seven-seat Atlas SUV and the Passat midsize sedan. It expects to start production on a five-seat version of the Atlas next year.
Earlier this month, an official said the Chattanooga plant plans to add a third shift, and it could potentially hire upwards of 1,000 more workers. Hiring was to start this year and extend into 2019.
VW also has a production plant in Puebla, Mexico.