Audi CEO Faces Backlash After Joining Trump in Georgia

The automotive industry in Germany has long operated with a degree of political distance from American electoral cycles. That distance vanished on Saturday when Gernot Döllner, the chief executive of Audi, took the stage alongside Donald Trump in Perry, Georgia.

The appearance occurred just days before the US midterm elections. Döllner stood with the US president to announce a major expansion of Audi’s manufacturing footprint. The company plans to spend $4 billion to construct its first factory in the United States. This new facility in Macon, Georgia, is projected to create 4,500 jobs. It will produce 200,000 SUVs annually once operations begin in the 2030s.

Döllner described the move as a long-term bet on the American market. He stated that the company intends to build its largest and most premium sport utility vehicles in Macon. Construction is scheduled to start next year. This announcement marks a stark contrast to the current trajectory of Volkswagen’s operations in Europe.

Back in Germany, the reaction was swift and sharp. Daniela Cavallo, who leads the works council at Volkswagen, the parent company of Audi, released internal communications that criticized the executive decision. She argued that Trump’s recent speech was filled with racism, sexism, transphobia, and contempt for democracy. Cavallo said that anyone who heard the speech and then saw Döllner actively participating must sink into the ground with shame. She characterized the event as a propaganda show that turned management into a puppet of a highly dubious political figure.

The criticism extended to the political sphere. Isabel Cademartori, the transport spokesperson for the Social Democrats, labeled the appearance a disgrace. She cited the history of the Volkswagen Group, which was founded as a showcase company under the Nazi regime, as context for the embarrassment. A spokesperson for the German government declined to offer a detailed opinion, describing the decision as a business choice regarding investment locations and executive visibility.

Labor leaders weighed in with equal force. Christiane Benner, head of the IG Metall trade union, called the appearance extremely embarrassing and politically unacceptable. She accused Döllner of being in flagrant breach of the company code of conduct. That code requires political neutrality in the run-up to elections. Benner, who serves as deputy chair of VW’s supervisory board, warned that the Macon investment plan must undergo review by that board.

The timing of the announcement complicates the relationship between VW management and its workforce. The company is currently negotiating a major restructuring that could cut as many as 100,000 jobs and close factories. Management attributes these cuts to competition from Chinese carmakers, US tariffs, and the costs of transitioning to electric vehicles. Audi’s plant in Neckarsulm, which employs 15,000 people, is among four German facilities threatened with closure from early next decade.

Audi faces specific financial pressures that make the US investment strategically necessary. It is the only premium car manufacturer without its own factory in the United States. This status exposes the brand to Trump’s 15% import tariffs, which cost the company an estimated €1.2 billion last year. A company spokesperson noted that each site must contribute to the long-term strength and competitiveness of the brand.

The political backdrop in Germany adds another layer of tension. Donald Trump is unpopular in the country and has openly supported the far-right Alternative für Deutschland. Polls show the AfD is currently the most popular party in Germany. The party has actively sought Trump’s support. The 3 November election in Georgia is critical for the Democrats’ effort to regain control of the Senate. Incumbent Jon Ossoff is battling Republican challenger Mike Collins in a state that Trump won in 2024.