Diess: VW Could Use Ford Factories to Build in US

It sounds like one of those great ideas from the internet that is far too impossible to ever happen. But it might just happen. At least the big players aren’t saying no. Volkswagen might use Ford’s US factories to build Volkswagen vehicles, according to a new report.

“We are in quite advanced negotiations and dialog with Ford to really build up a global automotive alliance, which also would strengthen the American automotive industry,” VW CEO Herbert Diess told Automotive News on Tuesday.

VW and Ford announced this past spring that they would be looking at a strategic alliance. It was expected they would share technology and even platforms, but with this announcement, Diess is taking it even further. “We are building an alliance with Ford which will strengthen Ford’s position in Europe because we will share platforms,” he said. “We might use Ford capacity here in the U.S. to build cars for us.”

Volkswagen was already looking at expanding production at its Chattanooga, TN, plant, with Diess saying the company is in “quite advanced negotiations in Tennessee.” But he aded that “there might be other options as well.”

“We need additional capacity here in the United States, we need an additional car plant for VW and Audi combined,” Diess said. The automaker is planning a decision early next year.

[source: Automotive News]

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