Audi Will Build Its First U.S. Plant in Georgia With a $4 Billion Investment
Audi is finally building a plant in America, and the Audi Georgia plant will be the brand’s first in the U.S. Specifically, the German luxury brand announced plans to build at the Middle Georgia Mega Site near Perry, Georgia. Audi expects to invest around $4 billion in the plant and create approximately 4,500 jobs.
According to Audi, construction is set to begin in 2027, with production planned for the early 2030s. Once it is up and running, the plant will be able to build up to 200,000 vehicles per year, and Audi says those vehicles will be premium SUVs tailored to North American buyers.
Audi’s First U.S. Plant Lands in Georgia
Until now, Audi has not had a single plant in the U.S. Its closest factory is in San José Chiapa, Mexico, where Audi builds the Q5 SUV and Q5 Sportback, according to Audi. We tested the performance-focused 2023 Audi SQ5 Sportback a few years ago. This new Georgia plant changes that. In fact, Audi says North America will become the third major pillar of its global production network, alongside Europe and China.
So why Georgia? Audi chose the state for its investment-ready site, skilled workforce, established supplier network, and strong logistics infrastructure. The site also has room for future expansion. Georgia already has a growing auto industry, and this is another big win for American-built vehicles, which we broke down in our look at the most American-made cars of 2026.
Up to 200,000 Premium SUVs a Year
Audi has not said which models the Georgia plant will build. However, the focus on premium SUVs for North America makes sense. Americans buy SUVs above everything else, and Audi recently introduced the 2027 Audi Q9, a big three-row SUV the brand says is specifically tailored to American customers.
For families like ours, that is good news. Audi already offers SUVs from the compact Q3 we tested on up, and building them closer to home could help keep them competitive in a crowded segment.
Why Building in America Matters for Audi
After all, the U.S. is the world’s second-largest premium car market, and Audi admits it has not reached its full potential here. As a result, building locally is part of a broader strategy to deliver what customers want, strengthen its product lineup, and make its business more competitive.
Just as important, a stronger North American footprint should make Audi’s global business more balanced and resilient. That includes reducing its exposure to trade and currency risks, a big deal for automakers importing vehicles into the U.S. right now. Still, Audi says Germany and Europe will remain its industrial backbone, with North America adding to its network rather than replacing it.
What Audi Leaders Are Saying
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said the brand has much greater ambitions in America and that the goal is a stronger brand with a competitive local production base, not just a factory. In his words, “This is about building a stronger Audi business in America.”
Meanwhile, Gerd Walker, Audi’s board member for production and logistics, said a brand-new plant lets Audi rethink manufacturing from the ground up, with efficient, flexible processes, advanced technology, and a local supplier network. Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp called it a defining moment for the state. Additionally, Manfred Döss, chairman of Audi’s supervisory board, said the brand’s future requires the courage to invest, not just cost cuts.
Our Take on Audi’s Georgia Plant
Deals like this are not political moves, either. We recently sat down with Hyundai CEO José Muñoz. He told us automakers invest based on markets, not policy swings. He also said decisions this big take years to play out, longer than any one administration. In fact, Hyundai opened its Georgia Metaplant the same day the White House announced new auto tariffs in March 2025. That plant took years of planning. As Muñoz put it, “Sometimes the politicians also change, but our company has to continue.” Audi’s Georgia plant fits that same long view.
Of course, this is a long-term play. Construction does not begin until 2027, and the first Georgia-built Audi will not arrive until the early 2030s. Even so, it is a clear sign that Audi is serious about the American market. A Georgia plant building SUVs designed for American families could make future Audis easier to price and quicker to adapt to what buyers here actually want. We will be watching to see which models get the Made in Georgia treatment. In the meantime, you can explore the current lineup on Audi’s website.
