Breaking News. Volkswagen To Build New SUV At Chattanooga Plant; Local Investment Is $600 Million; Plant Employment To Double To 4,000; New R&D Center Set. Volkswagen officials said Monday morning they plan to build a new SUV line at the Chattanooga plant that already produces the Passat. Also, a new research and development center with 200 engineers focusing on the U.S. market will be built at the Chattanooga plant.