Audi to invest 4B in Georgia for first US auto plant

German luxury automaker Audi is set to establish its first United States manufacturing facility in Peach County, according to joint announcements from state officials and corporate leadership. The announcement coincides with ongoing regional electoral campaigns and broader discussions surrounding import tariffs and manufacturing policies.

The facility will be situated at the Middle Georgia Megasite, an industrial property marketed through a collaborative partnership involving Peach, Houston, and Macon-Bibb counties via the Mid-Georgia Gateway Joint Development Authority, as reported by WGXA. State and corporate leadership detailed the timeline and scope of the project during a political rally in Perry, Georgia, attended by WTOP News and Modbee. According to official disclosures, site preparation will commence with grading operations, followed by building construction and eventual commercial production.

Media additions

Project Metric	Reported Figure / Detail
Estimated Investment	$4 billion to $4.2 billion
Projected Employment	Approximately 4,500 jobs
Annual Production Capacity	200,000 vehicles
Target Models	Large premium SUVs (including Q7, Q8, and Q9 variants)
Site Location	Middle Georgia Megasite, Peach County
Production Target Date	Early 2031

Corporate executives and state officials emphasized the strategic advantages of the Middle Georgia location, highlighting its proximity to regional transportation networks. The site sits roughly 90 minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and features rail connectivity via Norfolk Southern Class I lines, with freight access to both the Port of Savannah and the Port of Brunswick within a five-hour window. To prepare the local workforce for assembly and advanced manufacturing positions, the state plans to deploy its Georgia Quick Start program to design custom training curricula in coordination with local technical college campuses.

Perspectives on the economic catalysts behind the investment vary significantly between political figures and corporate announcements. President Donald Trump asserted during the Perry campaign rally that aggressive federal import tariffs compelled the German automaker to establish domestic production capabilities, stating, Without tariffs, they're not here (Fox5atlanta). U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno echoed this sentiment, arguing that the factory would never have happened without tariffs, without common sense regulations and without eliminating California's ability to regulate fuel economy standards (Modbee).

Conversely, corporate representatives framed the decision around long-term market access and regional economic alignment. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner emphasized the brand's growth ambitions within the American market.

"We are planning to bring our biggest and most premium SUVs, and produce them here in Macon, Georgia. This is a this is a long-term investment because we believe in the American market."

Gernot Döllner, Audi CEO, via Modbee

Döllner further noted that the partnership extends beyond standard manufacturing, aiming to establish a dedicated operational base for the brand in North America.

State economic development officials, including GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson, pointed to decades of infrastructure planning and multi-county cooperation as the decisive factors. Local leaders noted that the property had been specifically acquired and improved to attract high-caliber automotive original equipment manufacturers. However, state and local authorities have not yet released the detailed breakdown of local tax incentive packages, property tax abatements, or infrastructure grants associated with securing the project, nor have specific starting hourly wages been published.

The announcement arrives amid a complex financial backdrop for the luxury brand. Audi sales have experienced consecutive annual declines, sliding across multiple global markets amid heightened competition and international trade pressures.

What to Watch Next

• Site grading and preliminary engineering work are scheduled to begin in 2027 at the Middle Georgia Megasite.
• Facility construction activities are slated to follow in 2028, with workforce training centers established concurrently by technical college partners.
• Commercial vehicle assembly is scheduled to officially commence in 2031, targeting an annual output of 200,000 units.