The string of potential deals would deepen ties between Chrysler LLC and two of its key current partners but could also mark the end of the struggling No. 3 U.S. automaker as an independent venture.

The architectural renderings of the plant show an integrated assembly, paint and body shop, with a full-scale training center located immediately adjacent to the facility. The training center, developed in conjunction with Chattanooga State Community College, will include a lean/corporate training center, a basic training center focused on the production processes, an advanced training center focused on the automotive components, an apprenticeship training center and a conference center. The training facility is scheduled to be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2009.

"Like all manufacturers, Sunderland Plant is currently operating in extraordinary circumstances not of our making," Trevor Mann, the company's senior vice president for manufacturing, Europe, said. "It is essential we take the right action now to ensure we are in a strong and viable position once business conditions return to normal."

Mark Greene, a Nashville lobbyist who represents the Tennessee Lobbyist Association, said Volkswagen "was regarded by most of the lobbying community as a plum client. A number of firms pursued it."

"It is our anticipation that working with the new Congress and administration, we'll be able to further shore up our liquidity needs through 2009," Martin said. He described the current loans as "an interim measure."

The number of supplier and spin-off jobs created by auto-manufacturing can, in some states, reach as high as 10 for every worker in an auto-manufacturing plant.