VW revs up EV output in Tenn.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Volkswagen began production of its first electric vehicle assembled in the United States at a Tennessee plant Tuesday.

The German automaker said it plans to ramp up production in Chattanooga of the ID.4 electric compact SUV to 7,000 cars per month in the fourth quarter of this year, with a goal of increasing that rate next year.

The kickoff comes after VW announced an $800 million investment in the company’s manufacturing of EVs in North America at the Chattanooga plant in 2019, including facilities for vehicle and battery pack assembly. VW says it is hiring more than 1,000 production team workers there through the end of the year. Volkswagen Chattanooga employs more than 4,000 people.