Bangladesh, Jan. 18 -- Volkswagen is partnering with the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to create the company's first innovation hub for developing new technology in North America, officials said Friday in a statement.

Initial work at the hub in Knoxville will include research opportunities for UT doctoral students and will focus on electric vehicles and developing lighter components from composite materials, according to a joint statement from the three partners.

"Working with the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a great opportunity to continue growing Volkswagen's engineering footprint in the North American region," said Wolfgang Demmelbauer-Ebner, VW's executive vice presiden...