Audi heads to US: Trump hopes to score at the polls with German carmaker

Audi, a premium car manufacturer based in Ingolstadt, is set to significantly expand its presence in the United States. The German automaker has announced plans to invest approximately $4 billion in constructing its first dedicated US car plant in Georgia. This major industrial move was unveiled during a rally by US President Donald Trump in Perry, Georgia, on October 24, 2026. Trump emphasized his trade policy, which encourages companies to relocate production to the United States.

Audi's CEO, Gernot Döllner, confirmed the investment by highlighting the company's long-term goals in the American market, the world's most important premium car market. The new plant, scheduled to begin production in the early 2030s, is expected to manufacture up to 200,000 vehicles annually and create around 4,500 jobs. The site will be built at the Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County, near Macon, due to the state's established supplier industry, transport links, and a skilled workforce.

Georgia's large ports and proximity to North American customers were also cited as factors in the decision.

The plant's primary focus will be on producing large, high-end sport utility vehicles, including models like the Audi Q7, Q8, and Q9. This move positions Audi to reduce its dependence on international supply chains and exchange-rate fluctuations by producing vehicles closer to its American customers. The company asserts that this strategy enhances its competitive position against carmakers with their own US production facilities.

Trump's tariffs on car imports and parts have reportedly cost Audi around 1.2 billion euros last year. However, Audi emphasizes that the investment is driven by a long-term strategy of expanding its US presence, accessing the sales market, and leveraging the existing infrastructure and regional supplier base. While the decision may not directly lead to job losses in Germany, it will alter the geographical distribution of future investments for the Volkswagen Group, underscoring the growing importance of North America.

Audi maintains that Germany and Europe will continue to be the industrial backbone of the company, with the new US plant complementing the existing expertise in development, engineering, and production. The IG Metall union has welcomed the move, calling for binding long-term employment prospects for German plant workers and urging approval from Volkswagen committees. Georgia, known for its strong automotive tradition with Kia and Hyundai plants, is poised to become an industrial hub for Audi as well.