PERRY, Ga. — President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that Audi will build an automobile plant in Georgia, saying the company will commit roughly $4.2 billion to a project near Macon that officials say will eventually produce about 200,000 vehicles a year and create approximately 4,500 jobs.
What was announced at the rally
Speaking at a campaign event in Perry’s Guardian Centers of Georgia, Trump credited his trade policies as a key factor in the decision and framed the investment as a win for American manufacturing at a politically charged moment in the midterm cycle. He called the plant a major economic development for the state and emphasized vehicle output figures as evidence of scale.
“Think of that. 200,000 cars a year. That’s incredible,”
On stage with Trump was Gernot Döllner, the chairman of Audi’s board of management, who described the investment as long-term and said the plant would build some of Audi’s largest, most premium SUVs. Audi said in a company statement that site grading will begin in 2027, construction will follow and production is expected in the early 2030s.
Local impact and timeline
Officials have highlighted the potential economic boost to Middle Georgia. The company’s announcement — Audi’s first plant in Georgia — points to a multi-year build-out that will affect county governments, workforce programs and suppliers across the region.
- Estimated investment: $4.2 billion
- Jobs projected: about 4,500
- Planned annual capacity: ~200,000 vehicles
- Construction schedule: grading in 2027, work to follow, production in the early 2030s
Local and state officials on the stage and in statements welcomed the commitment. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson thanked the president for what he called "the biggest economic deal in Georgia history" at the rally.
“Thank you on behalf of Georgia for putting the biggest economic deal in Georgia history right here today,”
Regional context
The investment comes as Georgia continues to expand its automotive footprint. The state already hosts several major automakers and supplier operations, and this new Audi plant would add to a growing manufacturing cluster in the Southeast. For Middle Georgia, a project of this size has implications for housing, transportation infrastructure and workforce training — issues that county leaders and economic development officials will now need to address.
| Milestone | Timing |
|---|---|
| Site grading | 2027 |
| Construction | Following grading (company timeline) |
| Production begins | Early 2030s |
Political overtones
The announcement came during a campaign appearance intended to energize Republican voters ahead of the midterms. Trump and Audi executives framed the deal as evidence of manufacturing revival tied to federal policy decisions. Critics and political opponents have in other contexts questioned the timing of corporate announcements made at partisan events; nevertheless, company statements and the presence of Audi leadership lent authority to the pledge.
What’s next for local communities
Economic development teams in Peach, Macon-Bibb and neighboring counties will be tasked with coordinating infrastructure, permitting and workforce development as the project advances. For residents, the coming years could bring increased demand for construction trades, manufacturing skills training and expanded supplier networks — but also pressures on housing and local services.
Details remain to be finalized: the company has provided a broad timetable and projections for jobs and output, but local planners and state agencies will need to clarify incentive packages, water and utility requirements, and transportation upgrades to support the site.
As the state digests the announcement, the practical work of turning a campaign-stage promise and a corporate commitment into an operating plant will fall to economic development officials, county governments and Audi’s project team. For Middle Georgia communities, the promise of thousands of jobs and billions in investment marks the start of a long planning horizon.
Reporting from the Perry event and follow-up details in Macon and state announcements form the basis of this story.
