US President Donald Trump has announced plans by German luxury automaker Audi to invest $4.2 billion in a new vehicle manufacturing plant in Georgia, presenting the project as a boost for American manufacturing ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Trump made the announcement 2026, during a campaign rally in Perry, Georgia, where he was campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the elections.

The proposed facility, to be located near Macon, is expected to produce up to 200,000 vehicles annually, focusing on Audi’s larger and premium sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The investment will mark the Volkswagen-owned automaker’s first manufacturing plant in Georgia.

According to information released by Audi, the project is expected to create approximately 4,500 jobs. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, while vehicle production is projected to commence in the early 2030s.

Audi Chairman Gernot Döllner, who joined Trump at the rally, described the investment as a long-term commitment to the American market.

The announcement provides the Trump administration with an opportunity to highlight investment in domestic manufacturing as a key part of its economic agenda. Trump credited his administration’s tariff policies for encouraging the company to establish production facilities in the United States.

However, the economic implications of the administration’s trade policies remain contested, with critics arguing that tariffs can increase costs for businesses and consumers while creating uncertainty for manufacturers.

The announcement also carries political significance because Georgia is a competitive state in the November 3 elections, with closely contested races expected to influence the balance of power in Congress.

The project is expected to strengthen Georgia’s automotive manufacturing presence, although its full employment and production benefits will depend on implementation of the investment plan and the eventual commencement of operations.

The proposed factory therefore represents both a major planned industrial investment and a prominent issue in the political debate over tariffs, employment and the future of American manufacturing.

Donald Trump announces Audi’s $4.2 billion Georgia manufacturing plant, expected to create 4,500 jobs and produce 200,000 vehicles annually.