Volkswagen could build the Porsche Cayenne at its upcoming U.S. plant, a new report finds. The new plant is scheduled to open in 2010, and could be producing the Porsche Cayenne just a few years after that. The decision hinges on whether VW will build the Touareg and Audi Q7 in the U.S.
Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper revealed the possibility, citing internal VW sources.
VW spokesman Andreas Meurer also confirmed the possibility. “When we discuss whether to build the [VW] Touareg and [ Audi ] Q7 in the USA, we also talk about the Cayenne,” Meurer told Automotive News Europe.
The VW Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne all ride on the same platform and are produced at the same plant. A plan to move SUV production to the U.S. would seem to make sense as it is the largest market for SUVs. BMW already produces the majority of its SUVs at its South Carolina plant.
VW’s U.S. plant will have an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles and will initially produce the Jetta and a Passat-sized sedan. However, Audi models could also be produced at the plant, along with the company’s trio of SUVs.
