Volkswagen Chattanooga has achieved another significant production milestone: The 100,000th Passat was delivered to its new owner, Joanne Benante of Atlanta, during an employee meeting this morning.

The Night Blue Metallic Passat TDI diesel with a Moonrock Leather interior was driven off the line and into the Conference Center by factory employees. The keys were then handed to Frank Fischer, CEO of VW Chattanooga who presented them to Ms. Benante, who had come to take the special delivery

Passat No. 100,000 was completed just nine months after the car went on sale in the U.S. and 114 days after building the 50,000th car. The plant builds all Passats for the U.S. and for export to Canada, Mexico, the Middle East and South Korea.

“We have built each and every one of those 100,000 Passats with a passion for detail that sets the standard for safety and reliability for the mid-size sedan market,” Fischer said. “I’m so proud of our team for reaching this milestone so quickly while maintaining the superior quality that earned the Passat the Motor Trend 2012 Car of the Year award,” Fischer said.

“Producing 100,000 Passats so soon after the vehicle went on sale in September 2011 is a testament to all the hard work that has gone into making our LEED-certified Chattanooga plant and the Passat such a success, both here and abroad,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen of America. “It is further evidence that our momentum in the U.S. market is continuing and we are appreciative of our growing customer base, which has been drawn to the Passat’s outstanding fuel economy, German engineering and value,” Browning said.

Above: Joanne Benanti takes delivery of her new Passat from Frank Fischer, CEO of the Chattanooga plant. Behind Ms. Benante in the far right of the photo is Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen America. Volkswagen Media photograph.