In spite of the industrywide crisis VW is pulling ahead with its plans to build its first U.S. production facility in more than 20 years in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it will produce a mid-size sedan designed specifically for North American consumers. Following the initial announcement in July, VW invited to Germany the Governor of the State of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen accompanied by a 50-strong delegation that included Chattanooga's Mayor, Ron Littlefield, and media representatives from the region. -Continued During last week's presentation in Berlin, VW officials revealed the core values (see video below) of their forthcoming sedan codenamed NMS which stands for "New Midsize Sedan". The vehicle, that could possibly serve as a replacement for either the Passat or the Jetta in VW's North American range, will be offered with both FSI gasoline and TDI diesel engines. According to VW officials, among the requirements that must be met in order to satisfy U.S. consumers is the size and number of cupholders in the interior...
Work at the 2,000-employee, $1 billion manufacturing plant at Enterprise South industrial park in Chattanooga is scheduled to begin in November with the first vehicles expected to roll off the production lines in early 2011. Overall, VW plans to build around 150,000 vehicles a year at its new facility in Tennessee. As for when we'll get our first glimpse of the NMS, Carscoop's sources report that VW most likely show off the car at the Detroit Auto Show in 2010.
(Video via: WRBCTV)
PRODUCT CONCEPT NMS
Market Requirements to Be Met:
- Spacious legroom
- Large trunk volume
- Number and size of cupholders
- ABS with front and rear disc brakes
- Airbags front/rear
- Child seat anchors
- High performance radio
- Interface for mobile devices
Volkswagen NMS Attributes:
- Superior driving dynamics
- Dynamic powetrain / acceleration
- Double clutch transmission (DSG)
- FSI engines
- TDI Engines
- Superior design transporting sustainable values
