By ERIK SCHELZIG
Inside Volkswagen’s only U.S. assembly plant in Chattanooga there’s little hint of the diesel emissions cheating scandal embroiling the German automaker around the world.
Sparks fly off robotic welding arms, new versions of the Passat sedan roll off the line and workers install equipment to build a new SUV billed as a key to reviving the company’s growth prospects in America.
In the words of plant spokesman Scott Wilson: “Nothing has changed, and the factory construction goes on.” Volkswagen is expanding the plant and planning to add 2,000 jobs.
But production of diesel-engine vehicles has been put on hold by VW until they get more clarity on the consequences of the emissions scandal.
And some state officials worry about the scandal’s impact on the construction and hiring plans.
