Volkswagen Tells Lawmakers Plant Expansion Will Continue

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF-TV) — Tennessee lawmakers had every reason to be concerned about Volkswagen’s problems.
The legislature came up with 165.7 million dollars in incentives to encourage V-W to build it’s new 7 passenger SUV here in Chattanooga.
State Senator "Bo" Watson brought the senate finance sub-committee here to hold a formal hearing on the future of that expansion.

SEN. "BO" WATSON, (R) HIXSON "Today, members..I hope we can establish the confidence of our people that we have protected their investment and have used their resources wisely."

Also chairing the hearing was Sen. Randy McNally, finance committee chairman.
Both men wanted to hear from the state Economic Development commissioner Randy Boyd, who visited the plant in September to ask those questions.

RANDY BOYD, COMMISSIONER, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT "When you go there and physically see it you can believe it. New robots everywhere..see new construction everywhere …you can see people committed to making this time line happen..that gives me the confidence to believe things are moving forward."

But the head of the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant brought the news that the company still intends to spend some 900-million dollars and create 2000 new jobs.

CHRISTIAN KOCH, PRES. & CEO, VOLKSWAGEN CHATTANOOGA "I am also here today to tell you that we intend to honor our commitments here in Tennessee."

Koch had actually issued a news release earlier in the day restating the company’s commitment.

As for image-mending efforts by the German company–Rep. Gerald McCormick, house majority leader from Chattanooga, predicted Volkswagen would quickly overcome its current problems and remain one of the world’s automotive leaders, as it has been for years.
The Cross Blue SUV is scheduled for production late next year.