Audi considering delay of decision on U.S. production

A number of European carmakers are considering starting production in the United States to take advantage of the low dollar and to improve production and logistic efficiencies of popular import models in North America. Volkswagen recently announced plans to build a $1 billion factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and earlier this month the carmaker's CEO Martin Winterkorn revealed that its Audi subsidiary could also use the site for production of some of its models. A decision on the matter had previously been expected in early 2009, but could now be delayed due to the very weak market conditions in the U.S. Audi has set itself a goal of building 1.5 million vehicles per year by 2015 and to produce at that level the carmaker will need to expand its current capacity.