President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Audi will invest $4.2 billion in a new assembly plant in Macon, Georgia, describing the project as a major win for American manufacturing just days before the November midterm elections.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Perry, Georgia, Trump said the facility, operated by the Volkswagen Group’s luxury brand, would produce 200,000 SUVs annually. He linked the decision directly to his administration’s tariff policies on imported vehicles and parts.

Audi Chief Executive Gernot Döllner appeared alongside Trump at the event. The company confirmed the plant would be its first manufacturing site in Georgia and would generate approximately 4,500 jobs.

Plant Details and Timeline

The facility is planned for the Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County, near Macon. Site preparation is expected to begin in 2027, with construction following and full production targeted for the early 2030s. The plant will assemble premium SUVs, including the Q7, Q8 and Q9 models currently produced in Europe.

Roughly half of the annual output is expected to serve the U.S. market, with the remainder available for export. Audi also plans limited additional production capacity at a related Volkswagen facility under construction in South Carolina.

Georgia officials noted the location’s access to suppliers, transportation networks and workforce training programs as factors in the selection. Governor Brian Kemp welcomed the project as a significant expansion of automotive manufacturing in the state.

Tariffs and Broader Manufacturing Push

Trump repeatedly credited his tariff regime for prompting the investment, stating that without the duties the project would not have moved forward. He framed the announcement as evidence that higher levies on foreign goods are bringing production and jobs back to the United States.

The following day, Trump said his administration intends to unveil additional manufacturing investments before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The Georgia project was presented as part of a wider effort to expand domestic auto production amid ongoing trade measures affecting European and other imported vehicles.

Audi has faced substantial costs from U.S. tariffs on vehicles imported from Europe and Mexico. Company executives described the new plant as a step to reduce exposure to those duties while expanding sales in the large North American market for premium SUVs.

Political Context

The announcement came during a rally aimed at supporting Republican candidates in Georgia, including efforts to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Trump has campaigned across several states in the final weeks before the midterms as Republicans work to maintain majorities in Congress.

Audi confirmed the investment figures and job projections in a subsequent statement. Production is not expected to begin until the early 2030s, leaving the immediate economic impact focused on construction and related activity in the coming years.