TradeTariffs News & Analysis

Audi Plans 200,000 Annual SUV Assembly in Georgia, South Carolina

Audi, Volkswagen's premium subsidiary, plans to build an assembly plant in Georgia that will produce 200,000 SUVs annually, including models Q7, Q8, and Q9, according to a government official. The announcement is expected to be made by President Donald Trump near the future plant site. In addition to the Georgia plant, Audi plans to produce 25,000 vehicles in South Carolina at the Scout Motors' $2 billion plant under construction in Blythewood. Some vehicles, previously built in Europe, will be exported. These moves align with Trump's efforts to encourage automakers to move production to the United States amidst tariffs on autos, steel, aluminum, and parts. Audi's U.S. sales have fallen 16% this year, with a 7% decline in the first half of 2026 due to competition and tariff effects. Other automakers like Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai are also adjusting U.S. production plans in response to trade policies, with Toyota investing $3.6 billion in Texas. This announcement reflects ongoing shifts in automotive production driven by trade policies and election-related economic signaling.