Volkswagen 101: Is VW a Foreign Car?

There are so many automakers all over the world. With its unique brand name, many Volkswagen buyers ask, “Is VW a foreign car?” North Penn Volkswagen shares all the details.

Volkswagen History

The Volkswagen brand dates back to the 1930s. The company was first founded in 1937 in Berlin, Germany. They officially changed their name to Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft (AG) in 1985, which is known as Volkswagen Group internationally.

Volkswagen Manufacturing

With global manufacturing, the lines have become blurred as to whether or not a vehicle is considered foreign. Originally, Volkswagen vehicles were produced in Wolfsburg, Germany, where the company is headquartered. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Volkswagen became a global company, adding manufacturing plants around the world.

Volkswagen Today

The Volkswagen Group operates over 100 manufacturing and assembly facilities worldwide, including plants across 16 European countries and 10 countries in North and South America, Asia, and Africa. Those include plants in China, India, South Africa, Brazil, and Argentina.

Vehicles for the U.S. market are produced primarily in regional plants, including the Volkswagen Group of America assembly plant in Chattanooga, TN, and the facilities in Puebla, Mexico.

Future North American Production

The Volkswagen Group still has North American growth plans. Its battery company, PowerCo, is building a battery cell factory in St. Thomas, Ontario, with operations now expected to begin in 2029. Volkswagen Group’s Scout Motors is also building a plant near Columbia, SC, for Scout-brand trucks and SUVs.

The Chattanooga plant now focuses on higher-volume models, including the second-generation Volkswagen Atlas. Volkswagen also says a future version of the Volkswagen ID.4 for North America remains planned.

Explore Our Volkswagen Inventory in Colmar, PA

While Volkswagen has foreign roots, it currently has a global footprint. In fact, many Volkswagen vehicles are made right here in North America. Visit North Penn Volkswagen to explore our diverse inventory today!