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VW confirms three-row Tiguan to be built in Mexico

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Volkswagen has been toying with the idea of a three-row crossover for some time – as evidenced by the CrossBlue concept in 2013 and the Magellan concept way back in 2002. But now the German automaker is bringing it to fruition, and it's doing so right in our back yard (or across the fence, anyway).

In its latest announcement, VW confirmed recent reports that it will build a new three-row Tiguan at its plant in Puebla, Mexico. It will be made alongside the Golf and Jetta at the company's largest assembly plant outside of Germany, after a billion-dollar expansion program that will encompass nearly a million more square feet of space and employ some 2,000 workers.

Once production of the new Tiguan comes on full steam in 2017, the plant will be pumping out 500 of them every day to be delivered in the Americas, but also exported to markets overseas (save for China and Europe). At that point, VW will be producing 90 percent of its products for North America locally.

Of course this won't be the first time Volkswagen will be producing a Tiguan. The current model was introduced in 2007 and underwent a facelift in 2011, but includes only two rows of seating and is imported to North America from factories overseas.
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VOLKSWAGEN DE MÉXICO TO PRODUCE THE NEW THREE-ROW TIGUAN IN ITS PUEBLA ASSEMBLY PLANT
Mar 9, 2015

- Investment of $1 billion at Puebla plant
- US-CEO Michael Horn: Localization key to safeguard our competitive position
- Start of production end of 2016

Puebla/Herndon, March 9, 2015 – Volkswagen de México announced today that a three-row version of the Tiguan will be produced at its plant in Puebla, Mexico. The car will be launched to the markets in 2017. The company will invest $1 billion for the expansion and modernization of its production facilities at the Puebla plant, as well as tooling to produce auto parts at suppliers. Volkswagen de México's strategy of technological upgrading, which started with the production of the new Golf on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, goes to the next step with the new Tiguan.

"Localization has become key to safeguarding our competitive position on the global market and manufacturing the Tiguan in Mexico will bring production closer to the U.S.-market," said Michael Horn, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. "It is another proof point that Volkswagen is committed to further growth in the U.S. and North American markets. With production of the Golf A7 and the Tiguan now moved to Puebla, we will build approximately 90 percent of our products in the NAFTA region."

Volkswagen specified that the production capacity for this longer Tiguan will be 500 units per day. This model will be supplied to North and South America, as well as other world markets (excluding the European Union and China).

For production of this compact SUV, new lines will be installed at the Puebla plant. The new body shop will include a high level of automation with advanced programming and control systems. All told, the new buildings will add 90,000 square meters to Volkswagen de México's Puebla facilities.

The project will add around $1 billion annually to Volkswagen's auto parts purchasing volume in Mexico. This will create a significant impact on local economics and employment. At Volkswagen de Mexico alone, Tiguan production will employ about 2,000 people.

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