WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that German automaker Audi planned to invest US$4.2 billion to build its first factory in the United States, 10 days before the midterm elections.
Audi confirmed the investment in a statement, saying the plant would create about 4,500 jobs.
“I’m thrilled to announce a massive auto manufacturing investment in the great state of Georgia by a fantastic company,” Trump said at a campaign rally ahead of the Nov 3 vote, which will determine control of the US Congress.
“Audi has just committed to invest US$4.2 billion in nearby Macon, Georgia, to begin the construction next month on a massive plant that will produce 200,000 cars a year,” Trump added.
Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, said construction was scheduled to begin next year, with production expected to start in the early 2030s.
“The planned investment intends to mark a long-term commitment to the United States and to establish North America as a third major pillar of Audi’s global production network alongside Europe and China,” it said.
Volkswagen, long a titan of German industry, has struggled with US tariffs, Chinese competition and uneven demand in Europe.
In September, the 10-brand Volkswagen Group reached an agreement with unions to cut up to 100,000 jobs by 2030, increasing the expected number of job cuts across the group by 50,000.
The cuts would mark the largest restructuring in the global automotive industry.
Trump has claimed a “roaring comeback” in US auto manufacturing in response to his aggressive trade policy.
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has used executive authority to impose tariffs on various products, including cars, and on goods from numerous countries.
In response, automakers including General Motors, Toyota and Ford have announced plans to expand their US plants or shift production from overseas.
Grievances over Trump’s trade policies are among the issues Democrats hope will work in their favour in the midterm elections.
Trump is devoting considerable effort to campaigning ahead of the vote as he faces poor polling figures and unexpectedly tight races in Republican strongholds.