Trump Says Audi to Invest US$4.2 Billion in Georgia Car Plant, Credits Tariffs

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that German carmaker Audi will invest US$4.2 billion in a new vehicle plant in Georgia, crediting his tariff policies for the decision, the Associated Press reported. Trump made the announcement at a campaign rally at Guardian Centers of Georgia in Perry, saying the factory near Macon would produce 200,000 cars a year.

According to Fox Business, Trump described the commitment as “the single largest investment in U.S. auto industry history, modern history.” He credited Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with helping secure the deal and also cited US$40 billion in wider auto investments that he said would create 30,000 jobs.

Audi’s plans

Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner joined Trump on stage alongside Audi North America President Vito Paladino, Fox Business reported. The AP quoted Döllner as saying: “This is a long-term investment, because we believe in the American market.” He said the plant would build the brand’s largest and most premium SUVs.

Audi, a Volkswagen brand, confirmed the investment in a news release, which put the planned workforce at about 4,500, according to the AP. Fox Business and Asharq Al-Awsat described the facility as Audi’s first manufacturing plant in the United States. Asharq Al-Awsat said the company’s release described North America as set to become “a third major pillar” of its global production network, alongside Europe and China.

Before the rally, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing officials familiar with the negotiations, that the site is part of the Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County, on the outskirts of Fort Valley. An Audi spokesperson had declined to confirm the announcement at that time, the newspaper said.

Tariffs and Volkswagen’s pressures

The AP said Trump attributed Audi’s decision to his tariff policies, which it described as aggressive and unpopular. Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Volkswagen has struggled with US tariffs, competition from China and uneven demand in Europe, and that about 50,000 job cuts have been agreed across the Volkswagen Group, with the company saying a further 50,000 could be needed worldwide.

The announcement came ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, the AP noted. Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson thanked Trump at the rally, calling the project the biggest economic deal in the state’s history.

What’s next

Timelines differed between the president and the company. Trump said construction could begin as early as next month, according to Fox Business, while Audi’s release said construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with production beginning in the early 2030s, the AP and Asharq Al-Awsat reported.

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