Survey: Environment Minister: Audi is "betting on a dead horse"

Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider, a member of the SPD, harshly criticized Audi's plans for a new factory in the United States. He stated, "While much of the world focuses on technologically superior electric mobility, Audi is betting on fossil fuels, thereby betting on a dead horse." Schneider made these remarks to the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger." He emphasized that aside from the unappealing circumstances of this announcement, there are also doubts about the sustainability of such a decision.

Audi's CEO, Gernot Döllner, had appeared on a campaign platform with Donald Trump over the weekend. Döllner announced the construction of a US factory, which would create around 4,500 jobs. The new factory would produce SUVs, including the large Q9 model tailored for the US market. Since then, Döllner has faced criticism from various quarters, with some even calling for his resignation.

Audi is supposed to have internal guidelines that prohibit such campaign appearances in the weeks leading up to elections. However, the US midterm elections are set for November 3rd, and many Germans view Döllner's appearance with skepticism. In a representative YouGov survey, 39% of respondents found it "not at all appropriate" for Döllner to announce the US factory construction, while 18% found it "somewhat inappropriate."

Only 7% and 11% respectively, viewed the announcement as "fully" and "somewhat" appropriate. Audi is currently under pressure due to declining sales and revenues. The company has already reduced its workforce and more job cuts are expected. Unlike competitors BMW and Mercedes, Audi does not have a US factory. As a result, they are particularly affected by Trump's tariffs.

This has been reflected in their sales figures, which fell not only in China but also in the US during the third quarter. The impact on profit and revenue is yet to be known. Audi will only release these figures on Friday.