Re: VW/Audi Considering US Assembly Plant in SE

["George S Achorn III" <coolidge@nicom.com>]

	I saw an article in the Wall Street Journal that on Friday that mentioned
that VW AG is considering a manufacturing point in the US. They are
considering southeast states including VA, NC, SC and others, though I'm
pullin' for Virginia, so I have less far to traverse to visit it.
	The article was basically more about the South's attractiveness as a
manufacturing point for the Auto Industry, and very little about VW who at
this point is only considering, but if it happens it'll be up and running
by 2000 said the article.
	So the big question is what to build there. I'm betting on B chassis cars
like the A4, A6, Passat and planned big VR8 VW Sedan. If the A7 minivan is
more than a rebadged Sharan this is also a likely candidate for US
manufacture. My second guess scenario is supplemental A chassis cars. The
Beatle will be online by that point and Puebla will build it exclusively
worldwide. Combine this with possible US Audi A3 models and other variants
like an Abased Audi Coupe, Corrado (CJ), VW SUV (based on Golf Variant
Syncro) and you could need a stepped up production capacity for A chassis
cars. Either way this means a stronger VW/Audi presence in the US which can
only mean more selection in the VW and Audi ranges. Sounds good to me!:)
	Later-G