{
  "id": 16072173,
  "title": "Autobauer: Zwei Werke gegen Trumps Zölle – Audis geheimer Amerika-Plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/autobauer-zwei-werke-gegen-trumps-zolle-audis-geheimer-amerika-plan",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-22T16:48:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/autobauer-zwei-werke-gegen-trumps-zoelle-audis-geheimer-amerika-plan/100263660.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Audi's chief executive Gernot Döllner had his last major US appearance just two months ago, presenting the new Q9 SUV in New York. The Ingolstadt-based company aims to align itself with BMW and Mercedes-Benz with this luxury SUV. Döllner was seen alongside his American chief Vito Paladino on a foggy New York morning over the Brooklyn Bridge, with the press release boasting \"Big Audi meets Big Apple\". In reality, however, the XXL SUV must still be imported from Slovakia at a high tariff cost. This could change in the future. After a year and a half of struggles, a two-stage plan might make Döllner's life easier, but could also cause friction in Audi's home country. Audi is reportedly planning to build a new factory in Georgia, but the decision has not been made by either Audi or in the VW group. An undercover measure is also planned, where Audi would build cars on the Scout platform in the South Carolina factory, which is close to completion. This factory was recently acquired by Volkswagen from Scout in 2021 and will exclusively distribute US-market pickups and SUVs under the Scout brand. The Audi model could be a large SUV, tentatively named \"Hardcore\". This comes from a report by the Handelsblatt. With the tariffs, it would definitely make sense to increase production in the US. Both Georgia and South Carolina are governed by Republicans. Georgia is already building a VW partner: the US electric car manufacturer Rivian, which is constructing a factory with a potential capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles. Volkswagen and Rivian have been in a billion-dollar joint venture since 2024, originally to address Volkswagen's software issues. However, any extension of the partnership has always been kept open. However, Audi's billion-dollar project still depends on an agreement with the US government. Last year, VW had attempted to negotiate a tariff deal with Washington without success. But now, several Audi executives, particularly Döllner, are hoping for a new chance. The November mid-term elections could put pressure on Trump to showcase new industry investments and American jobs. Therefore, the Audi leadership traveled to Washington recently, where Döllner and Supervisory Board Chairman Manfred Döss held personal talks. VW CEO Oliver Blume, who has repeatedly intervened in negotiations in the past, is said to not have been present this time. What Döllner and Döss could achieve remains unknown. Volkswagen had demanded government support as a prerequisite for the billion-dollar investment, and Washington is therefore negotiating over financing incentives and possible tariff relief. What matters is not only how many billion dollars are invested, but mainly what the company gets in return, according to a person familiar with the proceedings. The total cost of the US plans remains unknown. State subsidies will certainly contribute to the costs, but the company must at least partially finance the equipment of the factory. However, the investment plan for Volkswagen's next five years is not yet budgeted. The approval of these plans could be delayed until next year due to internal disputes. The Audi investment could thus become part of a broader reconciliation between Wolfsburg and Washington. State funding will also contribute. While a new factory will only have an effect in the medium term, financial relief could come immediately via tariff relief, potentially benefiting Volkswagen and Porsche brands represented in the US. Whether Trump would be willing to make such a deal is still unclear. The entire deal is therefore uncertain. A previously discussed option, expanding the existing VW factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been ruled out. Information from the company suggested that the United Auto Workers (UAW) played a significant role in this decision, having first joined Volkswagen in 2024 and signing a collective bargaining agreement in February 2026. The agreement guarantees wage increases of up to 20% and other benefits for employees. The decision against Chattanooga could also be seen as a signal to the workers' representatives.",
  "summary": "Der Autohersteller Audi verliert in den USA ein Vermögen. Jetzt soll ein Milliardenprojekt helfen, die Wende einzuleiten. Doch der mögliche Deal mit der US-Regierung in Washington ist noch offen.",
  "key_points": [
    "Audi plans to build new factory in Georgia to bypass Trump's tariffs",
    "Undercover measure to build cars in South Carolina factory",
    "Audi's investment depends on agreement with US government"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}