Where Was Your Car Made? The VW Westmoreland Factory

For Volkswagen enthusiasts, the story of the Westmoreland factory in Pennsylvania represents a unique chapter in the brand's history. It was the first VW plant built in the United States and a bold attempt to bring European engineering to American soil. Whether you drive a vehicle that was made there, or you simply enjoy brushing up on your Volkswagen history; here's the story of the VW Westmoreland Factory. 

In the 1970s, Volkswagen was riding high on the global success of the Beetle. However, with increasing competition from Japanese brands and changing consumer tastes in the United States, VW realized it needed a local production plant to compete more effectively. Having a factory in the U.S. would cut costs, reduce import tariffs, and allow the company to tailor its cars to American preferences.

The answer to their problems was seen as the unfinished 'New Stanton' plant belonging to Chrysler. It was signed on a 30-year lease and officially opened, as the Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly in early 1978. The 1200-acre site was subsequently purchased with a large loan and financial aid from the US Government, which included tax breaks and improvements to the local highway and rail network to aid with logistics and distribution. 

Alongside the Westmoreland plant, Volkswagen acquired a metal stamping factory in West Virginia (approximately 300 miles away) to make all their metal components close by, which was supported by another acquisition; a factory that produced air-conditioning and heater parts in Texas. 

The star of the Westmoreland production line was to be the Volkswagen Rabbit, the American version of the iconic Golf.

Launched in Europe in 1974, the Golf Mk1 was sold from 1975 in the USA as a Wolfsburg-built import. Read about the history of the Golf Mk1 here. 

With an engine size and fuel appetite far smaller than the typical American car, the Golf / Rabbit became popular, especially In the wake of the oil crisis of 1973, when pump prices almost quadrupled overnight. The first US-built 'Westmoreland' Rabbit rolled off the production line on 10th April 1978, it was a white 2-door Rabbit, which ironically, was destined for the Wolfsburg museum, back in Europe! 

Alongside the Rabbit, the first-generation VW Caddy, or Rabbit Pickup as it was to be known locally, was also produced on the Westmoreland factory floor, but that came along a few years later in 1979.

From 1985 the Mk2 Golf and the Jetta (from 1987) were built at Westmoreland, but by then things had started to take a downturn, and Westmoreland production of these would cease in 1988.

Despite initial promise, the Westmoreland factory faced challenges from almost the beginning. American buyers were already accustomed to Japanese reliability and large sedans from homegrown brands. The idea of a small European car had merit, but the changes made to appeal to the US market backfired. VW had implemented softer suspension and cheap interior furnishings mimicking the Cadillacs and Chevrolets but sadly diluted the Germanic qualities that could have set the car apart. 

This, combined with a settling of fuel prices, build quality issues (from a largely inexperienced workforce) and staff strikes led to an almost 60% reduction in cars sold between 1980-1985.

By the mid-eighties, a combination of rising costs and disappointing sales forced VW to reconsider its strategy. In 1988, just a decade after opening, the Westmoreland plant was closed for good, marking the end of VW’s first U.S. manufacturing venture.

Although short-lived, the Westmoreland factory left its mark on VW’s history in the United States. Today, Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant in Tennessee carries the torch, producing models like the Atlas and Passat for customers across North America.

For enthusiasts of the older cars, those made at the Westmoreland factory carry a little extra kudos. And for fans back in Europe, considerable amounts of money have been paid to 'get the look' with square headlights, side markers and chunky chrome bumpers helping to make a regular Golf become a Rabbit overseas. 

Read our blog on decoding watercooled Volkswagen chassis numbers to find out how you can spot a genuine Westmoreland-built car from any other. 

Do you own a Westmoreland-built Volkswagen? Or are you searching for VW Rabbit parts? Let us know in the comments below!

Enjoyed this article? Check out our features on other VW plants, including Wolfsburg VW factory, Hannover VW factory and the Karmann Osnabrück factory.

Andy