Audi CEO Criticized Over Georgia Rally
German leaders and workers' representatives are condemning the timing of a $4 billion US factory announcement made alongside President Trump days before the midterm elections.
By Larissa Shah ·
Audi chief Gernot Döllner faces mounting criticism in Germany for standing on stage with President Donald Trump in Georgia.
The announcement occurred on Saturday, days before the November 3 midterm elections. The pair revealed a plan for Audi to spend $4 billion on its first US manufacturing facility in Macon, Georgia. The project aims to create 4,500 jobs and produce 200,000 SUVs annually. Construction is scheduled to begin next year, with production starting in the 2030s.
The timing drew sharp reactions from internal Volkswagen Group officials and German political figures. Daniela Cavallo, head of the VW works council, described the scene as a "propaganda show" and said participants should "sink into the ground with shame." She criticized Trump's speech, which she said contained "racism, sexism, transphobia [and] contempt for democracy." Christiane Benner, head of the IG Metall union, called the appearance "extremely embarrassing" and a "flagrant breach" of the company's code of conduct regarding political neutrality. Benner serves as deputy chair of VW's supervisory board.
Isabel Cademartori, a transport spokesperson for Germany's Social Democrats, labeled the event a "disgrace" given the Volkswagen Group's history. The German government's spokesperson called the appearance a business decision without offering further comment. Döllner defended the move as a "long-term investment" in the American market. He stated the plant would build the company's largest premium SUVs. The announcement is a strategic response to 15% US import tariffs, which cost Audi an estimated 1.2 billion euros last year.
The rally took place in Perry, Georgia, a battleground state crucial for Democrats seeking to regain the Senate majority. Incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff is running against Republican Mike Collins in a state Trump won in 2024. Trump used the platform to argue that his car import tariffs benefit the US economy.
The announcement lands amid an internal struggle at Volkswagen. Management is pushing to cut up to 100,000 jobs and close factories in Germany, citing competition from Chinese carmakers and the cost of transitioning to electric vehicles. Audi's Neckarsulm plant, which employs 15,000 workers, is among four facilities threatened with closure from early next decade. A company spokesperson noted that each site must contribute to the group's competitiveness and long-term strength.
More Business · Bad Service · Report a business · Got a Story?
