Volkswagen says it will create 800 new jobs at its Chattanooga plant to ramp up production of the Passat.

The German automaker said Thursday's announcement brings the total new positions at the plant to 1,000 this year.

The new jobs will bring employment at the plant to more than 3,000.

The plant builds 35 cars per hour at the plant, which surpassed 50,000 vehicles in February. It completed its first customer car last April 18.

Volkswagen AG, the world's second-largest car company, said last week that it intends to increase deliveries and revenues in 2012 despite difficult trading conditions in Europe.

Earlier this month, the company announced that Roane County will be the home of a $40 million parts regional distribution center, which will initially create 45 jobs.