MEXICO CITY (AP) — German automaker Volkswagen says it will invest $1 billion to expand its plant in central Mexico, where it plans to produce a version of the Tiguan sport utility vehicle that will hit the market in 2017.

In a statement Monday, the company says it hopes the expansion will generate 2,000 jobs at the plant in Puebla state.

It would be produced primarily for markets in North and South America.

Volkswagen indicates that the expansion includes new production lines to build vehicle bodies.

The Puebla plant first opened in 1964.