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North American Passats to Be Manufactured in Mexico?

Passats sold in North America could be built in Mexico if exchange rates stay the same. Passats are currently manufactured in Emden, Germany. The Passat celebrated a production milestone, when the 14 millionth Passat was produced early this year. Volkswagen has been moving towards Mexican production for the North American market for some time now. Over a five-year period, from 2003 to 2008, VW is pumping $2 billion into revamping its Mexican operation.

Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico facility opened in 1967 and is the biggest car plant in Mexico (well at least according to an article written in 2003). The Puebla plant is the exclusive manufacturer of Jetta sedans (and the forthcoming wagon) and the New Beetle. Previous generations of Jettas were built in Germany as well as Mexico, but going forward, North America's role as the dominant Jetta market dictated the change of strategy.