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Volkswagen Group of America’s Chattanooga Plant is celebrating 15 years since its grand opening in May 2011 (VOW3.DE or OTC VOW3.DE). Volkswagen Chattanooga has assembled more than 1.85 million vehicles, invested $4.3 billion in its operations, and now employs more than 4,000 team members. Today, the plant is home to the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The models together composed about 30% of Volkswagen’s U.S. sales in 2025. The plant is also noteworthy as becoming UAW organized despite VW’s long opposition to a union in North America. Tennessee is a Right to Work state [right to work for less? – AutoCrat] since 1947.*
“Fifteen years ago, we invested in Chattanooga, in this community and workforce, and in the future of American assembly,” said Henning Habicht, Head of Volkswagen Chattanooga Operations. “We are proud to have called this community home ever since. Today, as we mark this milestone, we celebrate every Atlas that rolls off our line, every student we’ve trained, and every family whose livelihood is connected to this plant.”
Central to Volkswagen Chattanooga’s story is the Atlas. Introduced in 2017, the Volkswagen Atlas was conceived specifically for the North American market; a three-row SUV built for American families. Since the first Atlas came off the assembly line in December 2016, the Chattanooga plant has now assembled more than one million Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Workforce Development
During the last 15 years, Volkswagen has developed numerous workforce development initiatives that have created a so-called talent pipeline in technical, highly skilled jobs that require significant training. Volkswagen’s workforce development programs have been preparing prospective future employees with a vast array of relevant skills and engaging experiences from kindergarten all the way to the university level.
“To date, more than 55 Volkswagen eLabs have infused K-12 public schools with emerging technologies and a challenge-based pedagogy that encourages diverse learners from across the Chattanooga region to engage in a variety of complex engineering problems. The program reaches more than 35,000 students annually, representing the largest Fab Lab network of its kind and introducing young learners to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” VW said.
For the last decade, the Mechatronics Academy at Volkswagen (MAV) has empowered high school juniors and seniors to embark on an accelerated path towards an associate’s degree in applied science while fostering hands-on and industry driven experiences at the Chattanooga Plant. Over nine years, the program has trained 140 high school students. Summer STEM camps have also contributed to Volkswagen’s workforce development efforts, serving more than 850 students over the past decade.
Volkswagen Academy Apprenticeship programs in Chattanooga have also made a mark on the company and community since 2010. In partnership with Chattanooga State Community College, these programs have evolved with the company, enrolling approximately 35 students annually and producing 365 graduates to date, 160 of whom have gone on to become full-time Volkswagen Chattanooga employees.
At the university level, Volkswagen has partnered with the University of Tennessee Knoxville to develop a PhD program where the company fully sponsors PhD students who work on projects specifically related to work at the Chattanooga Assembly Plant.
Research
During the last 15 years, Volkswagen has localized research and development capabilities in the Chattanooga region as well as greater Tennessee. “Opened in 2022, Volkswagen’s North American Battery Engineering Lab in Chattanooga focuses on EV battery testing and high-voltage engineering activities, helping to ensure battery safety, durability, and quality, even in the most extreme conditions. These insights uncover how emerging battery technologies can meet the company’s rigorous standards.
“The Knoxville Innovation Hub drives research and co-innovation of applied materials science in collaboration with the University of Tennessee (UT) and Oakridge National Lab (ORNL). Key priorities include increasing electric vehicle range, developing lightweight composites, and advancing high-power wireless EV charging. The program renewed in 2023, underscoring its continued success. To date, the partnership has sponsored 7 PhD students and has produced 9 U.S. pending patent and patent applications,” Volkswagen said.
Sustainability
“Environmental stewardship has been a defining characteristic of the Chattanooga plant since day one. The facility earned LEED Platinum certification for its building design and construction upon opening in 2011, becoming the first automotive manufacturing facility in the world to achieve that distinction.
“The plant’s 66-acre solar farm provides 8-10% of the electricity used at the facility, with the remaining power purchased through EPB coming from renewable sources. The campus is also home to 88 acres of bio-diverse wetlands that provide habitat for hundreds of wildlife species including more than 225 bird species. Volkswagen Chattanooga has also been a member of the Tennessee Green Star Partnership for five consecutive years, an environmental leadership program that recognizes manufacturers in Tennessee who are committed to sustainability and exhibit continuous improvement throughout their entire operation,” VW said.
*AutoInformed on
“VW” and “Volkswagen” model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG.
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.
Milestones – Volkswagen Chattanooga at 15 Years
Click for more.
Volkswagen Group of America’s Chattanooga Plant is celebrating 15 years since its grand opening in May 2011 (VOW3.DE or OTC VOW3.DE). Volkswagen Chattanooga has assembled more than 1.85 million vehicles, invested $4.3 billion in its operations, and now employs more than 4,000 team members. Today, the plant is home to the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The models together composed about 30% of Volkswagen’s U.S. sales in 2025. The plant is also noteworthy as becoming UAW organized despite VW’s long opposition to a union in North America. Tennessee is a Right to Work state [right to work for less? – AutoCrat] since 1947.*
“Fifteen years ago, we invested in Chattanooga, in this community and workforce, and in the future of American assembly,” said Henning Habicht, Head of Volkswagen Chattanooga Operations. “We are proud to have called this community home ever since. Today, as we mark this milestone, we celebrate every Atlas that rolls off our line, every student we’ve trained, and every family whose livelihood is connected to this plant.”
Central to Volkswagen Chattanooga’s story is the Atlas. Introduced in 2017, the Volkswagen Atlas was conceived specifically for the North American market; a three-row SUV built for American families. Since the first Atlas came off the assembly line in December 2016, the Chattanooga plant has now assembled more than one million Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Workforce Development
During the last 15 years, Volkswagen has developed numerous workforce development initiatives that have created a so-called talent pipeline in technical, highly skilled jobs that require significant training. Volkswagen’s workforce development programs have been preparing prospective future employees with a vast array of relevant skills and engaging experiences from kindergarten all the way to the university level.
“To date, more than 55 Volkswagen eLabs have infused K-12 public schools with emerging technologies and a challenge-based pedagogy that encourages diverse learners from across the Chattanooga region to engage in a variety of complex engineering problems. The program reaches more than 35,000 students annually, representing the largest Fab Lab network of its kind and introducing young learners to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” VW said.
For the last decade, the Mechatronics Academy at Volkswagen (MAV) has empowered high school juniors and seniors to embark on an accelerated path towards an associate’s degree in applied science while fostering hands-on and industry driven experiences at the Chattanooga Plant. Over nine years, the program has trained 140 high school students. Summer STEM camps have also contributed to Volkswagen’s workforce development efforts, serving more than 850 students over the past decade.
Volkswagen Academy Apprenticeship programs in Chattanooga have also made a mark on the company and community since 2010. In partnership with Chattanooga State Community College, these programs have evolved with the company, enrolling approximately 35 students annually and producing 365 graduates to date, 160 of whom have gone on to become full-time Volkswagen Chattanooga employees.
At the university level, Volkswagen has partnered with the University of Tennessee Knoxville to develop a PhD program where the company fully sponsors PhD students who work on projects specifically related to work at the Chattanooga Assembly Plant.
Research
During the last 15 years, Volkswagen has localized research and development capabilities in the Chattanooga region as well as greater Tennessee. “Opened in 2022, Volkswagen’s North American Battery Engineering Lab in Chattanooga focuses on EV battery testing and high-voltage engineering activities, helping to ensure battery safety, durability, and quality, even in the most extreme conditions. These insights uncover how emerging battery technologies can meet the company’s rigorous standards.
“The Knoxville Innovation Hub drives research and co-innovation of applied materials science in collaboration with the University of Tennessee (UT) and Oakridge National Lab (ORNL). Key priorities include increasing electric vehicle range, developing lightweight composites, and advancing high-power wireless EV charging. The program renewed in 2023, underscoring its continued success. To date, the partnership has sponsored 7 PhD students and has produced 9 U.S. pending patent and patent applications,” Volkswagen said.
Sustainability
“Environmental stewardship has been a defining characteristic of the Chattanooga plant since day one. The facility earned LEED Platinum certification for its building design and construction upon opening in 2011, becoming the first automotive manufacturing facility in the world to achieve that distinction.
“The plant’s 66-acre solar farm provides 8-10% of the electricity used at the facility, with the remaining power purchased through EPB coming from renewable sources. The campus is also home to 88 acres of bio-diverse wetlands that provide habitat for hundreds of wildlife species including more than 225 bird species. Volkswagen Chattanooga has also been a member of the Tennessee Green Star Partnership for five consecutive years, an environmental leadership program that recognizes manufacturers in Tennessee who are committed to sustainability and exhibit continuous improvement throughout their entire operation,” VW said.
*AutoInformed on
“VW” and “Volkswagen” model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG.
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.