In order to combat a tough exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Volkswagen is considering opening a new factory in the United States. VW has traditionally made little profit on US vehicles – compared to its sales elsewhere – but now the automaker is looking at a new factory to offset these costs.
VW built cars in Pennsylvania until 1988 and the German carmaker currently builds VWs for the U.S. market in Mexico and Brazil (in addition to European factories), but increased demand for products might dictate the need for a U.S. factory, according to Focus, a German magazine.
VW’s CEO, Martin Winterkorn, said that VW is looking to expand its Detroit-area U.S. headquarters and that, if exchange rates don’t improve, the automaker will be forced to build a new factory.
07/09, 11:08 AM
posted by:
Htay5500
w/e, I doubt tht will improve reliability and quality for US VWs.
07/09, 11:41 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
They could probably pick up some cheap plants from Crysler and hire soon-to-be-unemployed ex-UAW workers.
07/09, 12:02 PM
posted by:
Mitch Bangowitz
Maybe if they can find a way to make their cars more affordable to maintain and less problematic… more people will buy them?
07/09, 12:06 PM
posted by:
Mitch Bangowitz
I like Volkwagens for the sole reason they have height adjustable passenger seats! …They had telescoping steering wheels before Japanese cars even considered putting them in their uncomfortable cars! They seem more substanstial and solid than Japanese cars, but unfortunately not as reliable.
07/09, 1:27 PM
posted by:
A4
they are much more solid than japanese cars indeed, and the reliability is the reason you just keep them til the warranty is almost up and then you get another one. I sold my 2006 GLI at 48,000 miles, 2000 before the warranty was up. And it was worth it, but that car took a beating and kept going no problem. I feel bad for the sucker who bought it though. Their cars are plenty affordable mitch… i think you just picture them as more expensive because they are so much better than japanese offerings. The Rabbit is a much better alternative to a civic and way ahead of the corolla hahaha, the passat a much better alternative to an accord/camry, and a jetta is a perfect bridge between the two models. The GTI costs about the same as a civic SI, and is much much more refined. VW’s cars are at the perfect price point, and i hope they open this US plant to give jobs back to the industry and to see them thrive on our shores.
07/09, 2:32 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Well the GTI and Si interiors/build quality are pretty much on par aside from the GTI being heavier. I’ve driven both and I have to say the Si handles alot better and doesn’t understeer when you push it to the edge like the GTI. As for the GLI its alright but I’d take a TSX over it anyday. The GTI is more a highway darting in traffic fun car, where the Si feels more at home on a winding road or track. But I do love the 2.0T, rode shotgun in a chipped GTI and felt like a K04 equiped A4, lotsa fun. As for pricepoint VWs since the 90s have had a high msrp, and if they did have a factory here maybe they wouldn’t have as many component failures as they have with engines made in a Hungry and electrical parts from Mexico.
07/09, 2:56 PM
posted by:
Htay5500
we had a 97 passat, someone said to mydad it was reliabile. wrong, we had, in over 9 years of ownership, frequent maintenence every other month or wk, and began to have electrical problems as well. quality problems too, where the trunk wouldnt close after 5 tries. other owners began to have similar problems as well. wasnt cheap to fix and doesnt hold up as well as our hondas. our accord was much more better even though the tranny had to be replaced at 120k.
07/09, 5:57 PM
posted by:
Flipper
What was the fate of the Westmoreland plant?
07/09, 8:54 PM
posted by:
BLISS
ALL THE BEST VW AG AND I HOPE THINGS WORK OUT IN THE BEST WAY THEY SHOULD.
07/10, 3:40 PM
posted by:
c4Menace
sweet.