Volkswagen may build next Golf in Mexico

AutoBlog: Volkswagen may build next Golf in Mexico

Volkswagen Golf MkVII

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf is likely to go into production next year for North American consumption, but Automotive News is reporting that the latest version of the Volkswagen hatchback could end up being built in Mexico by 2014 according to an interview with CEO Martin Winterkorn. The decision to produce the recently debuted 2014 Golf there could happen within a few weeks, and if it does come to fruition, all three of VW's biggest sellers in the U.S. would be produced in North America.

This would bode well for VW's targeted sales growth in the U.S., which is already up 37 percent this year over 2011. AN says that Golf production would take place at VW's Puebla, Mexico plant that currently builds the Jetta and Beetle, marking the first time the Golf is built outside of Germany. The report also indicates that the automaker is planning to produce the car in China as well.

The Winterkorn interview also discussed the Chattanooga, Tennessee plant that currently builds the Passat. Winterkorn admits that while capacity maxed-out at the year-old facility, there's room for expansion. On that front, confirming earlier rumors, Winterkorn noted that if VW is going to expand, it would be with a utility vehicle that is "roomier than the Tiguan."