Audi heads to US: Trump hopes carmaker boosts election bid

German premium car manufacturer Audi has announced plans to invest $4 billion in establishing its first dedicated US car plant in Georgia. The announcement was made by US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally on October 24, 2026, in Perry, Georgia. Trump emphasized his trade policy, which encourages companies to move production to the United States, a factor that likely influenced the timing of the announcement as the midterm elections approach on November 3, 2026.

Audi's CEO, Gernot Döllner, highlighted the company's ambition to tap into the most important premium car market worldwide, noting that the American market currently remains underutilized. The new plant, expected to begin production in the early 2030s, will have a capacity for up to 200,000 vehicles annually and create around 4,500 jobs.

The plant will be built at the Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County, near Macon, due to the state's established supplier industry, transport links, and skilled workforce. Production is set to begin in 2027, with full-scale production targeting a start in 2031. Audi will primarily produce high-end SUVs, including the Q7, Q8, and Q9 models, tailored to the North American market.

The move is strategically significant for Audi, as it would reduce dependence on international supply chains and exchange-rate fluctuations while strengthening its competitive position against other carmakers with US production. Trump's tariffs on car imports have reportedly cost Audi €1.2 billion in the past year. However, Audi's decision is not solely influenced by tariffs, as the company also emphasizes its long-term expansion in the US, access to the sales market, existing infrastructure, and the regional supplier base.

For Germany, the decision raises questions about the impact on Volkswagen Group's German sites, as additional production in the US does not automatically mean job losses in Germany but does change the geographical distribution of future investments and increases the importance of North America. While the IG Metall union broadly welcomes Audi's stronger push into the US market, it calls for binding long-term prospects for employees at German plants and notes that the final decision is still subject to approval by the relevant Volkswagen committees.

Georgia has a long-standing automotive tradition, with Kia and Hyundai already having production facilities in the state.