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Behind the Scenes of the Volkswagen Announcement

By Amy Katcher
Created Jul 16 2008 - 6:17pm

Comments Below: 1

Behind the Scenes [1] 

WDEF News12's Amy Katcher has more on the long and winding road.

Tennessee and Volkswagen join forces.

Jacoby: "Doesn't it feel good to finally be able to say that?"

Finally because the woo-ing of Volkswagen has taken seven months.

Jacoby: "Our final location had to be compatible with the values of Volkswagen."

At least three secret trips by Volkswagen officials helped determine those values. Two were to Senator Bob Corker's home.

Gov. Bredesen: "I'm not sure he expected to read all about it in the newspaper that next day but we got over that."

Rep. Wamp: "At one of those meetings that our governor talked about our classical pianist, senior senator, former governor Lamar Alexander went to the piano as we closed out the night to play the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. And I asked Stefan today in the calculation of this decision where did that rate and he said 90%."

A third included a sightseeing tour. One of the V-W board members was said to be quite taken by Chattanooga's beauty. But Jacoby insists the choice wasn't approved until Tuesday.

Jacoby: "At 10:00 at the supervisory board in Germany."

Jacoby: "I knew about this a little bit earlier."

So did a few key others. Senator Corker said he got the call Friday. Of course along the way there were promises made.

Mayor Littlefield: "President Jacoby, when I was delivering him to the airport I said I have promised my wife that if your company moves here, I'll buy her a new Volkswagen."


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Source URL:
http://wdef.com/news/behind_the_scenes_of_the_volkswagen_announcement/07/2008