Audi to build $4B SUV plant in Georgia, Trump announces at rally

German luxury automaker Audi is set to establish its first-ever United States assembly plant in Georgia. The development was revealed on Saturday, October 24, 2026, by President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Perry, according to reports from Bolnews, Fox News, DW, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Yahoo Finance, NewsCord, Around Prague, and the Voice of Alexandria. The announcement arrives amid a tense political landscape as Republicans brace for competitive contests ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The project aims to anchor North America as a major pillar of production for the Volkswagen-owned brand, though the timeline stretches far into the future with manufacturing not slated to begin until the early 2030s.

Speaking to supporters at the rally, Trump touted the investment as a historic milestone for domestic manufacturing. According to Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner, who joined the president on stage alongside Audi North America President Vito Paladino, the facility represents a dedicated commitment to the American market. This is a long-term investment because we believe in the American market, Gernot Doellner told the crowd, as reported by Bolnews and NewsCord. The plant will be situated near Macon—specifically planned for the eastern outskirts of Fort Valley in Peach County, roughly five miles west of Interstate 75 on the north side of Georgia State Route 96, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Media additions

Financial figures and estimates surrounding the venture vary slightly across reporting channels and corporate disclosures. While Bolnews and Yahoo Finance reference a $4 billion investment, Fox News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, NewsCord, Around Prague, and the Voice of Alexandria cite a $4.2 billion commitment. DW notes the figure in euros as well, pointing to a €3.77 billion equivalent.

The geopolitical and economic catalysts behind the move are complex. President Trump heavily credited his administration's sweeping tariff policies on vehicles, steel, aluminum, and parts for compelling foreign automakers to localize production. Independent reporting highlights that these same import levies cost Audi 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in the previous year, as the luxury brand historically imported every vehicle sold in the United States from Europe or Mexico, according to Bolnews, DW, and NewsCord.

Political figures have divided sharply over the economic impacts. Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno argued that the facility would allow Audi to manufacture its SUVs exclusively within the United States, attributing the success directly to tariffs and deregulation, according to Bolnews. Meanwhile, local political stakes remain high in Georgia, where the announcement intersects with contentious campaigns for the U.S. Senate and the governor's office, with local figures also responding to the venture.

Beyond the primary Macon facility, broader industrial maneuvers are underway within the wider corporate group. According to a U.S. Official speaking to Reuters and cited across multiple reports, the Georgia factory is intended to assemble larger vehicle lines, specifically the Audi Q7, Q8, and Q9 SUVs tailored specifically for North American buyers. Simultaneously, Volkswagen's off-road brand, Scout Motors, is advancing a $2 billion plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, which is projected to build an additional 25,000 units annually.

What to Watch Next

• Midterm Elections: Voters across Georgia head to the polls on November 3, 2026, with candidates weighing the political fallout of major economic announcements.
• Site Preparations: Corporate filings and regional reports note that construction is scheduled to officially commence next year, in 2027.
• Production Milestones: Manufacturing operations remain targeted for the early 2030s, leaving a multi-year gap before local assembly lines begin turning out vehicles.