Volkswagen Supports 164.47 K American Jobs & Adds $43.9 Billion to Economy

Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) and its nationwide network of authorized Volkswagen and Audi dealers are playing an increasingly vital role in the U.S. economy, according to a new independent study conducted by Deloitte. The report, released this week, found that VWGoA’s operations supported 164,470 American jobs—both directly and indirectly—and contributed an estimated $43.9 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024 alone. That figure represents a more than $10 billion increase in economic output compared to the company’s last assessment in 2019, demonstrating the auto group’s rapidly expanding presence in American manufacturing, research, and infrastructure.

“This study underscores our deep investment and long-term commitment in the American market,” said Dr. Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “In the past five years, we’ve grown our manufacturing footprint and advanced our R&D capabilities to drive meaningful economic impact in the communities where our valued team members live and work.” That impact is especially pronounced in key states such as California, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia—which together accounted for nearly half of all the jobs supported by VWGoA and its dealer network.

VWGoA’s job growth has been robust. The study reported a 30% increase in manufacturing roles and a 16% rise in research and development employment since 2019. The company’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant—which assembles the Volkswagen ID.4, Atlas, and Atlas Cross Sport—now employs nearly 4,000 workers, contributing to the state’s $6.7 billion in gross economic output from VW-related activities and sustaining nearly 17,000 jobs. Across its operations, the company delivered more than $12.5 billion in payroll and benefits and generated $4.55 billion in tax revenue for federal, state, and local governments. In total, VWGoA directly employed more than 48,000 people in the U.S., while supporting an additional 116,000 through indirect and induced economic activity.

Beyond job creation and manufacturing, VWGoA has made strategic investments aimed at shaping the future of mobility. Electrify America, a VWGoA subsidiary, invested $190 million into electric vehicle infrastructure across the country in 2024. The company also expanded its philanthropic efforts, donating more than $7.5 million to nonprofits focused on education, youth development, and environmental sustainability. These efforts are aligned with the company’s broader transition toward electrification, autonomy, and sustainable transportation solutions. Deloitte’s findings, based on 2024 data and modeled using IMPLAN economic software, reflect the scale of VWGoA’s integration into U.S. economic life and highlight its growing role in reshaping the American automotive landscape.

Volkswagen Group of America is the U.S. arm of Volkswagen AG, the German auto giant and largest automaker in Europe. In addition to Volkswagen and Audi, VWGoA also oversees operations for premium brands such as Bentley, Lamborghini, and is the U.S. distributor for Bugatti and Rimac. Its portfolio of services includes financial products through VW Credit, EV charging via Electrify America, and autonomous vehicle research through ADMT LLC. With headquarters in Reston, Virginia, and a network of nearly 1,000 independent dealerships, VWGoA employs close to 10,000 people nationwide and remains a central player in the transformation of mobility in the United States.