PERRY, Ga. – In a significant move aimed at bolstering American manufacturing, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Audi, the luxury automobile brand owned by Volkswagen, will establish a new automobile plant in Georgia. This announcement comes in the final days leading up to the midterm elections, highlighting Trump’s commitment to enhancing domestic production.
During a campaign rally in Perry, Georgia, Trump revealed that Audi would invest $4.2 billion in a facility located in nearby Macon. This new plant is projected to produce 200,000 cars annually, a development that Trump emphasized as a remarkable achievement for the state.
“Think of that. 200,000 cars a year. That’s incredible,” Trump stated, attributing Audi’s decision to build the plant to his administration’s tariff policies, which have been both aggressive and controversial.
The timing of this announcement appears strategically crafted to provide a last-minute boost to Republican candidates in a state that has become a battleground. Among those benefiting from Trump’s appearance is Rep. Mike Collins, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. After losing Georgia in the 2020 election, Trump is keen to regain support in the state, which he successfully won in 2024.
Joining Trump on stage was Gernot Döllner, chairman of the board of management at Audi, who emphasized the significance of this investment. “This is a long-term investment, because we believe in the American market,” he remarked, indicating the company’s confidence in the U.S. economy.
As detailed in Audi’s official announcement, this will be the company’s first manufacturing plant in Georgia and is expected to create approximately 4,500 jobs. Construction is set to commence in 2027, with production anticipated to begin in the early 2030s.
Despite the positive news for Georgia, Republicans are preparing for potential setbacks in the upcoming Nov. 3 midterm elections, facing challenges from an unpopular president and rising discontent among voters over economic issues and international conflicts, including the ongoing war in Iran.
At the rally, Rick Jackson, the Republican candidate for Georgia governor, expressed gratitude to Trump, stating, “Thank you on behalf of Georgia for putting the biggest economic deal in Georgia history right here today.” This sentiment underscores the importance of the Audi plant announcement not just for local job creation but also for the broader Republican strategy in the state.
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Colvin reported from New York.
