It's no secret Volkswagen is developing a new mid-size sedan (hence the NMS codename) to replace the Passat in the North American market, but today the German automaker posted a teaser on its website ahead of the car's world premiere which will take place at next week's Detroit motorshow.

Visitors entering Volkswagen of America's website are greeted by a sedan model wrapped in a white sheet and a note that says "The sleeker, roomier, all-new, German-engineered 2012 ______. Fill the blank on January 10th".

We'll have to wait until the Detroit show to find out more details including the car's name, but from the info VW has revealed so far, we know that the NMS will be produced at the firm's new U.S. factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee and it will be priced lower than the current Passat which it will replace in the North American market.

Volkswagen's new Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata rival will go on sale at dealerships in the third quarter of 2011 as a 2012 model year.

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