LAS VEGAS -- Representatives from Wolfsburg AG and several major European automotive engineering firms are visiting the United States, Oct. 29 through Nov. 13 as part of an effort to expand the sourcing of auto parts from U.S. suppliers. In addition to visiting AAPEX this week, the delegation will visit Nashville, Detroit and Chicago specifically to seek U.S. suppliers in the automotive sector. The U.S. Commercial Service in Germany is coordinating the visit on behalf of the European companies.

“The costs of exporting German-made parts to Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen factories in the United States, only to be exported back to Europe in the form of finished vehicles, has become prohibitive,” said Paul Warren-Smith, senior commercial specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt. “U.S. suppliers are in an ideal position to replace some European manufacturers and also supply parts to German factories in Mexico, South America, Canada and Asia, all at the same time. By opening new doors for U.S. automotive suppliers, we could help them retain and create new jobs here in the United States.”

Delegation representatives include executives from Wolfsburg AG and other European automotive engineering firms. One example of opportunity is progress on the new Volkswagen manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tenn. Volkswagen would like to source new U.S. automotive suppliers, which eventually could also supply products to Volkswagen in other countries, as well as its new Tennessee factory.

The firm will be joined on the road show by the U.S. Commercial Service and three major European engineering agencies from Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. They will be on hand to counsel U.S. companies/manufacturers as to how they can successfully enter the European automotive markets and better understand the technical specifications of products European automakers are seeking to source. The European companies are also looking to source American know-how in “green” automotive expertise such as hybrid electric technologies. Manufacturers can also draw on high-tech research through a large number of institutions in the United States.

In addition to AAPEX in Las Vegas this week, and a visit to Nashville on Oct. 29 and 30, the road show will attend the OESA conference in Detroit on Nov. 10 and will end in Chicago on Nov. 12 and 13.

U.S. Commercial Service: The U.S. Commercial Service is part of the International Trade Administration, which is dedicated to creating economic opportunities for American workers and businesses by promoting trade and investment. The U.S. Commercial Service (www.export.gov) connects U.S. companies with international buyers and has a global network of trade professionals located in offices across the United States and in American Embassies and Consulates in nearly 80 countries. In 2008, the U.S. Commercial Service facilitated nearly $70 billion in U.S. export sales, supporting job across the United States.