At the 2010 Paris auto show, Volkswagen had a full range of new Passat sedans and wagons on display. But the Passat will not be returning to the U.S.--at least the new Euro Passat will not be--and to underscore that point, VW has released three new sketches of its upcoming new mid-size sedan (NMS).
The NMS is the sedan that effectively replaces the Passat for U.S. customers. To be built in a new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the American version--which could carry the Passat name--will be longer, wider and less expensively engineered than its European cousin.
VW says the sketches highlight the NMS' "distinctive German design and progressive body styling." It shares some of the design language also seen in the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, while VW says its headlights and taillights add to the modern look.
The NMS is being prepped for a world debut at the 2011 Detroit auto show in January. Initially it only was to be sold in the U.S., but as it's gone through development, VW has found other markets, like India and Russia, where the NMS' size and expected pricing are favorable. VW now expects to export a good percentage of sedans from Tennessee to those countries, and in all, eventually sees 200,000 vehicles a year coming from the new American factory.
The NMS goes on sale in the third quarter of 2011.
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