VW top executives have just lined out a strategy to sell 800,000 VW’s in the United States by 2018.  Thats 3 times as many as they will sell in the US market this year.

In order to do this, they will design product specifically catered to the US market and have them built in North America.  VW currently imports most of its models from Europe and has been losing billions in the process due to currency fluctuations.

VW will invest 1 billion dollars to build a plant in Chattanooga, TN that will produce a Passat sized sedan but be less expensive in order to compete with the Accord, Malibu and Camry directly.  An engine plant to accommodate this vehicle will be built somewhere in North America as well, said the VW executives.

They also pointed out that their entire line-up will be refreshed by 2011 and that the new Beetle and Jetta would reflect American tastes more so than ever.  A seven-passenger SUV will also be added to the mix in order to penetrate that segment which is currently populated by the Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

“We want to be the No. 1 automaker globally,” Jacoby said at VW’s U.S. headquarters in Virginia. “Not everybody believes in this goal. We believe in this vision we have, and we are working very hard on its realization.”

• Next gen Chrysler minivan to be multi-cultural
• Fiat 500 to be built in Mexico
• Infiniti steps up luxury segment with new 400 HP 5.6L V8