Audi CEO joins Trump rally to announce $4bn Georgia factory, drawing fierce criticism in Germany

Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner appeared on stage with Donald Trump at a Republican campaign rally in Georgia on Saturday to announce the German carmaker's first US factory, a roughly $4 billion investment that will create around 4,500 jobs near Macon, Georgia.

Construction is set to begin next year, with annual production of up to 200,000 premium SUVs targeted for the early 2030s. Audi said the US is one of its most important premium markets and that it had not yet realised its full potential. Döllner told the rally: "We have much greater ambitions for Audi in America."

The announcement drew fierce criticism in Germany, much of it focused on Döllner's decision to appear alongside Trump. The centre-left Social Democratic Party's transport policy spokesperson Isabel Cademartori described it as campaign assistance for an autocrat waging a trade war against Germany. "This is a disgrace, especially considering the history of the Volkswagen Group," she said, referring to the company's links with Adolf Hitler's Nazi party during World War II. IG Metall president Christiane Benner labeled the rally appearance as "extremely embarrassing" politically.

Critics also noted that a major US investment was being celebrated while European jobs remain under severe threat. Audi is a subsidiary of Volkswagen, which is preparing to cut up to 100,000 jobs by 2030. The Neckarsulm plant, which employs around 15,000 people, is among four VW facilities at risk of closure.

The carmaker currently exports to the US from Europe and Mexico. Trump's tariffs on European-made vehicles added roughly €1.2 billion to Audi's costs last year, the company said. US sales fell 16% last year to just over 160,000 vehicles. Building a domestic plant would allow Audi to reduce or avoid those tariffs.

Trump credited his 15% tariffs on European-made vehicles for securing the investment, saying it "would not have happened without tariffs." Audi said it was acting for growth and resilience, not solely because of trade policy.