VW's U.S. Expansion Hampered as Trump Ponders Trade Barriers
- Brand chief Diess says trade policy to influence investments
- VW considers building additional SUVs at its only U.S. plant
New automobiles, manufactured by Volkswagen AG, sit on railway transporters in Munich.
Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Volkswagen AG’s plans to expand production at its only U.S. factory risk being disrupted by uncertainty over possible trade barriers under President Donald Trump, who has been particularly critical of Germany.
The maker of the Passat sedan is considering assembling additional sport utility vehicles at its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with the goal of lifting the site to full production capacity by 2020. The German manufacturer may build electric cars there as well. Those plans depend on clear signals from the U.S. administration, according to Herbert Diess, head of VW’s namesake car brand.