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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.” Continue reading
Trump-conomics – May 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Flat
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U.S. new-vehicle sales volume in May is expected to be mostly flat from year-ago levels, increasing a barely measurable 0.1%, according to the latest forecast from Cox Automotive. There are 26 selling days this May, which is the same as last month, but one less than May last year.*
“May sales appear to be holding up despite significant economic uncertainty,” Cox Automotive Senior Economist Charlie Chesbrough said. “New-vehicle buyers today are more affluent than ever, so they may not be as impacted by inflationary pressures as much as other consumers who are more acutely feeling the sharply higher fuel costs. If the economy and stock market can remain on this growing but volatile path, new-vehicle sales will likely follow. However, those are two large necessities during extremely volatile times.” Continue reading →