WASHINGTON — Volkswagen Group of America opened its new North American corporate headquarters today, saying it intends to reclaim its place as one of the top automobile brands in the country.

“Our mission is to strengthen Volkswagen in the hearts and minds of Americans,” said Dr. Martin Winterkorn, chief executive officer of Volkswagen AG. “Our new plant (in Chattanooga) is a powerful sign of our commitment.”

VW’s new American headquarters is located in suburban Washington, D.C.

More than 50 years after introducing the Beetle to the United States, VW is aggressively courting American consumers despite the economic headwinds facing other automakers such as General Motors.

Besides their new North American headquarters, VW intends to build a $1 billion assembly plant at Enterprise South industrial park in Chattanooga by 2010, with a goal of producing 150,000 vehicles a year. VW officials said they’re still on schedule to begin major construction at Enterprise South by Nov. 1.

The company aims to sell 800,000 Volkswagen vehicles annually in the United States by 2018, officials have said.

“Our commitment to fuel efficiency is one reason our sales have increased in the U.S. this year, despite falling sales for the industry as a whole,” said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “We are committed to environmental sustainability and a carbon-neutral future, and we are investing in new technologies.”

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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