VW narrows potential new plant to 3 states
WASHINGTON (AP) - Volkswagen AG said today it has narrowed its list of states competing for a potential U.S. production facility to Alabama, Michigan and Tennessee.
The German automaker said it is still evaluating whether to build a new plant in the United States and would make a final decision this summer. If Volkswagen decides to open a plant, the company is expected to start building cars within the next two years and initially produce between 100,000 and 150,000 vehicles annually.
Jeff Emerson, a spokesman for Governor Riley, said the state was "very honored" to be a finalist but declined further comment. Volkswagen officials have said the surging euro has pushed plans for a new production facility forward. The euro currency has been hitting record highs in recent weeks against the U.S. dollar, making goods exported from Germany more expensive in the United States.
Volkswagen produces VW cars and trucks and also makes vehicles under the Audi, Skoda, Seat, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti names.
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