One of the reasons why Volkswagen hasn't officially mentioned anything about the North American availability of the new, seventh generation Golf that was presented at the Paris Motor Show last week, is because it hasn't reached a final decision on where it will produce the compact hatchback for the local market.
Nevertheless, that may change soon as VW CEO Martin Winterkorn told German magazine Automobilwoche, a sister publication of Autonews, that the company is leaning towards its factory in Puebla, Mexico, for the North American production of the new Golf. The same plant also builds the Jetta saloon.
Asked about the possibility of manufacturing the compact hatch at VW's new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which currently builds the American Passat, Winterkorn was negative.
"Chattanooga has exhausted its capacity," he said. "If we expand there, an SUV that ends up roomier than the Tiguan would have a good shot."
Winterkorn added that the automaker will have decided on the production site "in a matter of just a few weeks" and will be able to announce a sales date before the end of the year, with Automobilwoche stating that the Golf Mk7 should arrive in the United States at the end of 2014 or in early 2015 at the latest.
Currently, the new Golf is built exclusively at VW's German factories in Wolfsburg and Zwickau, with VW having made plans to produce the car in China as well starting from next year.
8 Comments:
What ? Not 2012, not 2013... 2014 ! You get used to see the car on the net 2 years before you can buy it !
VW have to change their old bad manner...
VW, expand the Tennessee plant for the Golf and I'll buy one. I will not ever buy one produced in Puebla, nope!
My Puebla built 98 Golf has proven to be a champ. Totally reliable, trouble free to the max. I still like getting in it and driving.
yay! my 2012 GTI lease is up September of 2014, so just in time! hah!
i had a 2009 jetta that was a great car. although i only had it for 3 years!
End of 2014 ?? The G8 will be out by then. I wonder what the US of A did to be punished like this !
VW said, they reduce production cost in the new platform. If it is true, why they want to delay North America launch? It doesn't make sense. Current Golf/ GTI is already very old. (Make 6 is just a face lift of mak 5) Comparing with other makes Golf/ GTI is already showing it's old age.
There are plenty of other makes in the NA market VW will lose many customers if they delay NA launch including me.
VW sells the Golf (Jetta) wagon in the US. I'd like a Golf GTi WAGON!
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