Volkswagen expects to double its market share from 2% to 4%, selling as many as 450,000 vehicles in the United States in the next three to four years.
The automaker expects to be profitable in North America in 2013 as it launches new vehicles built here.
“Volkswagen is at home in America,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen American operations.
VW plans to ramp up production in North America. In August, it plans to start building the new Jetta in Mexico.
In July 2011, the automaker plans to start building its midsize sedan at a new plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., which is expected to produce 150,000 vehicles a year.
Shortly after that, the automaker plans to start producing its new Beetle in Mexico. Adding production in North America should help VW fend off unfavorable currency exchange rates it has encountered shipping cars from Europe to the United States.
VW’s new two-door concept body style may never hit the road, but the automaker’s attractive concept car drops clear hints about the styling of the upcoming Jetta sedan and station wagon, the brand’s best-selling cars in the United States.
VW/wire services