The Phaeton was a commercial flop when it was briefly sold in the US market in the early part of the last decade, but it has done better in other markets, particularly China.

The plant gets its name from the panes of glass that comprise the bulk of  its exterior and interior walls flooding the assembly line with plenty of natural light. In areas where artificial lighting supplements the sun's rays, the lights are pointed up and reflected off the ceiling for nice diffuse illumination.

The moving line itself and areas adjacent to it are all hardwood. Phaeton customers can visit the factory before the car is built and see samples of all the leather, wood, fabric and paints and select their own custom combinations. Next to the entrance is a smaller version of the parking tower for newly built cars awaiting customer delivery similar to the versions at the headquarters in Wolfsburg. 

The appearance of the facility is so unlike other factories that it regularly plays host to local cultural events including concerts in the lobby area. 

Can you imagine walking down a gang-plank 1,200 feet above the streets of Manhattan in a wind?