Volkswagen Increasing US Passat Production
Americans are saying “yes” to the 2012 Volkswagen Passat and the German giant is responding in kind by boosting production and adding jobs.
200 more positions are being created at the Chatanooga, Tenn. plant that already manufactures the car. According to Automotive News, the company will achieve this goal by increasing the number of cars produced per hour from 31 to 35. The plant opened in 2011 as part of VW’s plan to boost American sales to 800,000 by 2018.
We’re certainly not complaining about more Passats being available. Changes to the 2012 model make it feel a lot more like a luxury car. Some folks may struggle with the $33,000 price tag for the top-end model, but the base S starts at just $19,995. Read our review here and decide for yourself.
GALLERY: 2012 Passat SEL V6
[Source: Automotive News]
Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.
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I've had my black on black SE with sunroof for almost a month now. I can see why American consumers are responding so well. This is a lot of car for the money. It's the only true five-seater in the class, and I drove them all, the engineering (so far at least) is what you would expect from a German automaker, and the ride and handling is superior. But what I love most is that fact that anyone who has seen my car compliments me on the styling! If you have ever read the critics' scathing reviews of the look, you'd think the new Passat is the reincarnation of the Pacer. The new Passat has a clean, classic, upscale appearance. I for one think the swoopy designs coming out of Japan are getting downright silly looking. Unlike the others, the new Passat's look will wear well over time. And the interior is refined yet straightforward. I don't need a car that presses my suit while I drive. The car does need a few tweaks--a fully centered steering column and an upward adjustable center armrest--but all in all VW hit the mark with the 2012 Passat.