CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Audi of America's president said Chattanooga is an "attractive potential location" as the automaker scouts possible future production sites in the United States.

He said at the Detroit auto show that North American production for Volkswagen's premium brand isn't a matter of if but of "when."

"We certainly will," Johan de Nysschen told the Chattanooga Times Free Press on Monday.

He said Volkswagen already has aggressive plans for its Chattanooga site but no final decision has been made on a site for Audi production in North America. (http://bit.ly/xI0xbJ )

Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield said Audi officials have been "in and out" of the city.

Volkswagen has an option on acreage next to its Chattanooga plant where it started building Passats last year.

Audi officials said they're looking at which model to produce at a new plant.

Audi sold 117,000 vehicles in the U.S. last year, a new high, and de Nysschen said there were new sales records every month last year in the United States.

"We've got our sights on the 150,000 mark a few short years from now," he said.