SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- Volkswagen of America Inc., following the lead of other major automakers, said Monday that it will open a design studio in Southern California in November.
'Our move into Southern California is a recognition of the importance of the California market,' said spokesman Pat Fitzgerald.
'Southern California is really the cutting edge for new designs, because motorists there are more open to fresh ideas.'
The center, which will build full-size and scale models and be staffed by 10 designers, is the fifth such facility that Volkswagen has opened. Three others are in West Germany and one in Spain.
The Simi Valley facility is about 45 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The Big 3 American automakers, along with Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota, already operate design centers in Southern California, Fitzgerald said.
Hans Hungerland, peresident and chief executive officer of Volkswagen of America, said the studio reflects the company's 'long-term commitment to the U.S. market, as well as the worldwide styling influence of California motorists.'
Volkswagen, the largest European auto maker and the world's fourth-largest car company, sold 84,362 cars in the United States through July, up from 83,515 at the same point last year. Its Audi division had sold 12,645 in the United States through July, up from 11,970 for the year-ago period.
