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Gov.
Carper announces Volkswagen of America Governor Thomas R. Carper announced today that Volkswagen of America has renewed its agreement to import vehicles through the growing Port of Wilmington. The Port of Wilmington is the top U.S. seaport of entry for new Volkswagen vehicles, importing more than 100,000 VW-produced automobiles each year. Volkswagen’s new agreement with the Port of Wilmington runs through July, 2003 and secures nearly 200 good-paying jobs. The Port of Wilmington is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a subsidiary corporation owned by the State of Delaware. Governor Carper said, “We are pleased by Volkswagen’s decision to continue their partnership with the Port of Wilmington, retaining almost 200 good jobs at our growing Port. With the help of State and Port officials, union leaders, and the good people at Volkswagen, we have succeeded again in our efforts to preserve quality jobs and retain a top employer here in the First State. As we continue the partnership between Volkswagen of America and the Port of Wilmington in the 21st Century, we can take pride in the knowledge that our Port has taken another step forward as a national leader in this industry. This is a proud day for this Governor.” Volkswagen of America, the importer of Volkswagens and Audis, began shipping vehicles through the Port in 1976. In 1996, after 20 years of import operations, Volkswagen decided to close its Wilmington auto terminal in an effort to streamline their North American import operations and to consolidate at other existing East Coast ports. Governor Carper and the State-owned Diamond State Port Corporation spearheaded a major effort to persuade the German automaker to resume operations in Wilmington. In 1997, Volkswagen announced its return to Wilmington and renewed a multi-year lease with the Diamond State Port Corporation, making them the Port’s largest land-lease tenant and a major contributor to Port jobs and revenues. “Combined with the high-skill levels and attitudes of the work force and the commitment from Delaware’s government to continue improvements in the Port of Wilmington’s facilities, we believe we have made an excellent choice,” said Greg Smith, director of logistics and process flow for Volkswagen. “Wilmington has great ocean, rail, and trucking access.” With the Wilmington auto port, Volkswagen of America will have port and processing facilities at five U.S. ports including Wilmington, Boston, and Brunswick, GA on the East Coast; Houston, TX in the Gulf and San Diego, CA on the West Coast. Volkswagen Transport, Volkswagen’s worldwide carrier and “in-house” shipping line, will provide regular car carrier vessel service from ports in Mexico and Germany that will call in Wilmington to deliver VW and Audi cars. Founded
in 1923, the Port
of Wilmington is an important asset for the local and
regional economy, generating over 4,900 jobs and contributing over $16
million in annual tax revenues to State and local government. The
Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a
corporation of the State of Delaware. For further information,
digital photos, free tours of the Port and free speakers contact: Vered
Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager at the Port of Wilmington @
(302) 472-7819, e-mail: vnbecker@port.state.de.us
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