(March 15, 2013) DETROIT — Volkswagen is considering expanding its production capacity in the United States to build a full-sized sport utility vehicle, the Detroit News reported today. Like the Passat sedan built in Chattanooga, Tenn., the SUV would be designed specifically for the U.S. market.

The automaker could expand the Chattanooga plant, where it has produced nearly 180,000 Passat cars, or build a second U.S. plant to produce the SUV, said production chief Michael Macht.

Sales chief Christian Klingler told reporters there might eventually be four or five models developed specifically for U.S. customers.

The possible U.S. expansion is part of a long-range Volkswagen plan to build a minimum of 10 additional plants in the coming years — of which seven will be in China alone, said VW Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn.

Volkswagen already has 12 plants in China, where it has a leading position in the market. VW is planning to build the next one in southwestern China, Winterkorn said.

Source: The Detroit News