Feb. 26--Aiming to strengthen business ties between Germany and Chattanooga, a group from Volkswagen's home state toured the automaker's planned plant site today.

Over a dozen business people and elected officials from the German state of Lower Saxony met with Chattanooga economic developers and others to talk about opportunities for future link-ups.

Stephan Kapferer, secretary of state for Lower Saxony, said Volkswagen's opening of a new plant in the United States is not a threat to his state.

"We believe in free trade," he said. "We hope there will be a stable relationship between us and we'll see what are the opportunities for other companies in Lower Saxony."

Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield said that heavy equipment maker Komatsu, which has a plant in Chattanooga, also is located in Lower Saxony.

He also said that a maglev test track is located in Lower Saxony.

"We look forward to further ties," the mayor said.

See tomorrow's Times Free Press for complete details.

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