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Volkswagen Group of America has updated its production plans in the U.S. market for the Volkswagen brand. Volkswagen’s Chattanooga assembly plant will shift its primary focus to higher‑volume models in North America. Chattanooga, formerly the only VW plant without worker representation, now is a UAW plant. The launch of the all‑new, second‑generation Atlas for model year 2027 begins production this summer. Atlas will be available in dealerships this fall.*
“The Chattanooga plant has been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of Volkswagen’s strategy in the United States,” said Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO Kjell Gruner. “This strategic shift underscores the company’s commitment to Chattanooga and its workforce as we position the plant for long-term success and future product opportunities.”
Atlas has been one of the VW brand’s most important vehicles in the U.S., ranking as Volkswagen’s second‑best‑selling model for the past three years.
The EV market continues to vex global automakers. [An argument can be made that the UAW helped protect Chattanooga workers. – AutoCrat] As part of the new VW focus toward higher‑volume products that meet market demand, Volkswagen will no longer assemble the quality challenged ID.4 in Chattanooga starting mid-April 2026. The model-year 2026 ID.4 will remain available to customers in the U.S. through current inventory. VW said this will support customer demand into 2027. A future version of ID.4 is currently planned for the North American market. VW said details will be shared at a later date.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Volkswagen ID.4 U.S. Production Ends. Atlas Begins
Click for more.
Volkswagen Group of America has updated its production plans in the U.S. market for the Volkswagen brand. Volkswagen’s Chattanooga assembly plant will shift its primary focus to higher‑volume models in North America. Chattanooga, formerly the only VW plant without worker representation, now is a UAW plant. The launch of the all‑new, second‑generation Atlas for model year 2027 begins production this summer. Atlas will be available in dealerships this fall.*
“The Chattanooga plant has been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of Volkswagen’s strategy in the United States,” said Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO Kjell Gruner. “This strategic shift underscores the company’s commitment to Chattanooga and its workforce as we position the plant for long-term success and future product opportunities.”
Atlas has been one of the VW brand’s most important vehicles in the U.S., ranking as Volkswagen’s second‑best‑selling model for the past three years.
The EV market continues to vex global automakers. [An argument can be made that the UAW helped protect Chattanooga workers. – AutoCrat] As part of the new VW focus toward higher‑volume products that meet market demand, Volkswagen will no longer assemble the quality challenged ID.4 in Chattanooga starting mid-April 2026. The model-year 2026 ID.4 will remain available to customers in the U.S. through current inventory. VW said this will support customer demand into 2027. A future version of ID.4 is currently planned for the North American market. VW said details will be shared at a later date.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.