Volkswagen Establishes Port Facility in Texas

Volkswagen, along with its brands such as Audi and Porsche, will handle up to 140,000 vehicles annually at Port Freeport to support dealerships across the Midwest and West of the United States.

Publication Date: October 15, 2024

Reporter: Alejandra Carranza

Volkswagen Group of America has opened a $114 million port facility in Port Freeport, Texas, to enhance its vehicle import and processing operations, according to a press release dated October 2.

Port Freeport is expected to handle up to 140,000 vehicles annually on behalf of Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche. According to the press release, this Texas port features wide channels capable of accommodating larger liquefied natural gas vessels and will support approximately 300 dealerships in the Midwest United States.

“The establishment of this new port facility in Freeport helps create a more resilient and sustainable supply chain, ensuring growth for years to come,” said Anu Goel, Executive Vice President of After Sales at Volkswagen Group, in the press release. “Furthermore, easier access to rail and trucking operations will simplify and enhance our logistics operations.”

The functions of the port facility include vehicle loading/unloading, customization, and processing distribution, as informed by Executive Director and CEO Phyllis Saathoff via email to Supply Chain Dive.

This new facility consolidates two smaller facilities previously operated by Volkswagen in Houston and Midlothian, Texas. Currently, the automaker operates seven ports across the United States, including Baltimore; Benicia, California; Davisville, Rhode Island; Jacksonville, Florida; San Diego; and Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Volkswagen Assembly Plant is located.

To bolster local workforce capabilities, Volkswagen has also partnered with Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas, to establish a logistics program focusing on vehicle logistics operations.

Source: Supply Chain Dive