Audi to Invest $4 Billion in First Dedicated U.S. Manufacturing Plant in Georgia

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (OPA) — Audi CEO Gernot Döllner confirmed the investment on October 24, 2026, at a rally in Perry, Georgia, alongside President Donald Trump. The project, located at the Middle Georgia Megasite, is expected to create approximately 4,500 jobs and reach an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles. Preparatory work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with full-scale production targeted for the early 2030s.

The facility will focus on manufacturing large, high-end SUVs, including the Q7, Q8, and Q9 models, specifically tailored for the North American market. By shifting production from Europe and Mexico to Georgia, Audi aims to mitigate the impact of U.S. import tariffs—which cost the company roughly 1.2 billion euros last year—and reduce exposure to international supply chain volatility and currency fluctuations.

President Trump framed the announcement as a direct result of his administration’s tariff strategy, which has pressured foreign manufacturers to localize production within the United States. While the White House emphasizes the economic benefits of the move, Audi officials maintain that the decision is also driven by long-term expansion goals, proximity to the American consumer base, and Georgia’s established automotive infrastructure.

The investment has drawn mixed reactions from labor groups in Germany, where the Volkswagen Group maintains its primary industrial base. While the IG Metall union has expressed support for the company's growth, it is demanding long-term job security guarantees for German workers. Audi has stated that the Georgia plant will complement, rather than replace, its existing European operations, which remain the company's primary engineering and production hub.