Volkswagen is currently building a new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This facility will be dedicated to an environmentally-friendly range of vehicles, and the new manufacturing plant itself will be equipped with many energy efficient initiatives. Volkswagen expects to employ around 2,000 people. Full production is scheduled to start in 2011.

Volkswagen Group of America has purchased four ZEISS PRO series horizontal-arm CMMs in a dual-arm configuration (eight single horizontal-arm CMMs = four dual-arms). The PRO will be equipped with unique ZEISS articulating probe heads, allowing the flexible use of contact and non-contact measuring sensors. iDA off-line programming software and HOLOS NT measuring software will ensure fast and efficient processing of the measuring jobs.

Installation of the ZEISS PRO will start in January 2010, on par with the assembly line equipment. Training for the CMM operators is in process already. Besides the training for the measuring software, operators will receive training in general measuring theories and also get hands-on training at existing installations at Carl Zeiss and Vol kswagen facilities in Germany. This extensive training program will ensure a smooth start-up at the operation in Chattanooga.

Carl Zeiss IMT is looking forward to a successful partnership with Volkswagen Group of America. As the leading supplier for coordinate measuring machines to the Volkswagen Group, Carl Zeiss IMT is dedicated to ensure that this project will be a further mile stone in the successful partnership of both companies.

Further information on the PRO series horizontal-arm CMMs is available at www.zeiss.com/imt.