Union Pacific to serve new Volkswagen center near Houston

Volkswagen Group of America (VW) recently opened its new vehicle processing center at Port Freeport, Texas, with Union Pacific Railroad as its rail partner of choice.

Spanning over 120 acres, the new facility features 53 rail-car spots and capacity to annually process up to 140,000 VW, Audi, Bentley, Porsche and Lamborghini vehicles, mainly imported from Europe and Mexico, where VW and Audi operate large assembly plants, UP officials reported in "Inside Track."

Located south of Houston along the Gulf Coast, the site is strategically positioned to provide easier access to rail, streamlining vehicle shipping logistics and supporting VW’s goal to grow its U.S. market share, UP officials said.

“This is a significant milestone for Union Pacific and Volkswagen as we continue our long-term partnership,” said UP's Andrew Dziuda, director, marketing and sales.

The $114 million facility will generate 110 new jobs for the Freeport area, UP officials said. Additionally, VW helped to introduce a logistics and processing curriculum at a local community college to support a steady and skilled workforce.