PERRY, Ga. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that Audi will build an automobile plant in Georgia as he tries to deliver on his promise to bolster American manufacturing in the final days before the midterm elections.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Perry, Georgia, where he sought to boost Republican candidates, Trump said Audi — the German luxury brand owned by Volkswagen — would commit $4.2 billion in nearby Macon to begin construction on a plant that will produce 200,000 cars a year.
“Think of that. 200,000 cars a year. That’s incredible,” Trump said, crediting his aggressive and unpopular tariff policies for the company’s decision to build the plant.
The announcement seemed timed to offer a last-minute boost to Republican candidates in the battleground state, including Rep. Mike Collins, who is trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Trump has spent October campaigning in reliably Republican states as the party tries to hold onto its majorities in the House and Senate. Trump won Georgia in 2024 after losing it in 2020.
Knowing Trumps loose relationship to facts, does Audi know about this?
My money is on them allowing this, then quietly cancel plans after election. He’s done that many times before.
Audi is getting a hard time in Germany about this, too, because they are closing factories left and right. Opening a new big factory in the country that first and foremost caused the economical problems is not considered a smart move.
Besides, the parent company Volkswagen has not yet decided about this new factory (Audi cannot do this without their OK), and they are facing hard fights with the unions about loss of jobs in Germany.
