CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 28, 2026) – Volkswagen Group of America’s Chattanooga Plant is celebrating 15 years since its grand opening in May 2011. Beginning with assembly of a single model—the Volkswagen Passat—the plant has grown to serve as a cornerstone of Volkswagen’s North American strategy and a source of pride for the greater Chattanooga community.

Over the past 15 years, Volkswagen Chattanooga has assembled more than 1.85 million vehicles, invested $4.3 billion in its operations, and now employs more than 4,000 team members. Today, the plant is home to the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The models together composed about 30% of Volkswagen’s U.S. sales in 2025, cementing Chattanooga’s role as a pillar of Volkswagen’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market.

“Fifteen years ago, we invested in Chattanooga, in this community and workforce, and in the future of American assembly,” said Henning Habicht, Head of Volkswagen Chattanooga Operations. “We are proud to have called this community home ever since. Today, as we mark this milestone, we celebrate every Atlas that rolls off our line, every student we’ve trained, and every family whose livelihood is connected to this plant.”

At the heart of Volkswagen Chattanooga’s story is the Atlas. Introduced in 2017, the Volkswagen Atlas was conceived specifically for the North American market; a three-row SUV built to meet the demands of American families. Since the first Atlas came off the assembly line in December 2016, the Chattanooga plant has now assembled more than one million Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles, a remarkable testament to the enduring appeal of a product assembled in Tennessee.

Workforce Development
Volkswagen Chattanooga’s investment in the community extends well beyond the factory floor. Over the last 15 years, Volkswagen has developed numerous workforce development initiatives that have created an invaluable talent pipeline in technical, highly skilled jobs that require significant training. Volkswagen’s workforce development programs have been preparing prospective future employees with a vast array of relevant skills and engaging experiences from kindergarten all the way to the university level.

To date, more than 55 Volkswagen eLabs have infused K-12 public schools with emerging technologies and a challenge-based pedagogy that encourages diverse learners from across the Chattanooga region to engage in a variety of complex engineering problems. The program reaches more than 35,000 students annually, representing the largest Fab Lab network of its kind and introducing young learners to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

For the last decade, the Mechatronics Academy at Volkswagen (MAV) has empowered high school juniors and seniors to embark on an accelerated path towards an associate’s degree in applied science while fostering hands-on and industry driven experiences at the Chattanooga Plant. Over nine years, the program has trained 140 high school students. Summer STEM camps have also contributed to Volkswagen’s workforce development efforts, serving more than 850 students over the past decade.

Volkswagen Academy Apprenticeship programs in Chattanooga have also made a mark on the company and community since 2010. In partnership with Chattanooga State Community College, these programs have evolved with the company, enrolling approximately 35 students annually and producing 365 graduates to date—160 of whom have gone on to become full-time Volkswagen Chattanooga employees.

Finally, at the university level, Volkswagen has partnered with the University of Tennessee Knoxville to develop a PhD program where the company fully sponsors PhD students who work on projects specifically related to work at the Chattanooga Assembly Plant.

Research
Over the last 15 years, Volkswagen has localized research and development capabilities in the Chattanooga region as well as greater Tennessee. Opened in 2022, Volkswagen’s North American Battery Engineering Lab in Chattanooga focuses on EV battery testing and high-voltage engineering activities, helping to ensure battery safety, durability, and quality, even in the most extreme conditions. These insights uncover how emerging battery technologies can meet the company’s rigorous standards.

The Knoxville Innovation Hub drives research and co-innovation of applied materials science in collaboration with the University of Tennessee (UT) and Oakridge National Lab (ORNL). Key priorities include increasing electric vehicle range, developing lightweight composites, and advancing high-power wireless EV charging. The program renewed in 2023, underscoring its continued success. To date, the partnership has sponsored 7 PhD students and has produced 9 U.S. pending patent and patent applications.

Sustainability
Environmental stewardship has been a defining characteristic of the Chattanooga plant since day one. The facility earned LEED Platinum certification for its building design and construction upon opening in 2011, becoming the first automotive manufacturing facility in the world to achieve that distinction.

The plant’s 66-acre solar farm provides 8-10% of the electricity used at the facility, with the remaining power purchased through EPB coming from renewable sources. The campus is also home to 88 acres of bio-diverse wetlands that provide habitat for hundreds of wildlife species including more than 225 bird species. Volkswagen Chattanooga has also been a member of the Tennessee Green Star Partnership for five consecutive years, an environmental leadership program that recognizes manufacturers in Tennessee who are committed to sustainability and exhibit continuous improvement throughout their entire operation.

As Volkswagen marks 15 years in Chattanooga, the company’s commitment to the region remains as strong as ever. The plant continues to serve as Volkswagen’s sole U.S. assembly facility and the anchor of its North American strategy. With the Atlas family crossing the one-million-vehicle milestone in April 2026, and with ongoing investments in workforce development, sustainability, and community partnerships, Volkswagen’s next 15 years in Chattanooga promise to be as impactful as the first.