# Audi CEO Gerbot Doellner Defends $4 Billion US Investment as Board Approval Awaits

> Audi CEO Gerbot Doellner defends a planned $4 billion US investment, saying it was months in the making and could protect German jobs.

- Published: 2026-10-25T12:56:47+00:00
- Section: Expansion
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-25/audi-ceo-defends-us-investment
- Source: [The future of trading](https://capital.com/en-int/news/audi-ceo-defends-us-investment-plan-against-criticism-over-trump)

## Key takeaways

- Audi CEO Gerbot Doellner defended a planned $4 billion US investment alongside President Donald Trump.
- The plan awaits approval from Volkswagen's supervisory board, including critical labour representatives.
- Doellner said the decision was not against Germany and could protect jobs by strengthening Audi's global business.

Audi CEO Gerbot Doellner on Sunday defended a planned $4 billion US investment alongside President Donald Trump, saying the decision had been months in the making and would benefit the [Volkswagen](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00003ok/volkswagen) brand's global footprint. [The future of trading](https://capital.com/en-int/news/audi-ceo-defends-us-investment-plan-against-criticism-over-trump) reported that the plan awaits approval from Volkswagen's supervisory board, including critical labour representatives.

## Doellner Defends Audi's US Investment Plan

Doellner told reporters on Sunday that the decision followed many months of careful planning and intense negotiations. "If the American president invites you, you accept the invitation," he said. "That is what respect for the office and for the country in which we invest demands."

The plan would set up the premium carmaker's first US production presence. Doellner said it was "not a decision against Germany," arguing it could protect jobs at home by strengthening Audi's global business. Volkswagen AG will build a new Audi plant in Georgia and expand a South Carolina facility, with President Trump announcing the move Saturday, according to Bloomberg. The German automaker hopes the announcement will bring relief from tariffs that have eroded profits, Bloomberg reported.

## Audi's Scale and Group Partnerships

[Audi AG](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002a9x/audi-ag) is a public company founded in 1909 and headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The same records show 1,644,400 deliveries to customers in 2025 and an operating profit of €3.4 billion in 2025 with a 5.1% operating margin. Audi utilizes Volkswagen Group platforms including Premium Platform Electric and Premium Platform Combustion, with shared R&D and technology synergies across brands, according to the same records.

## Earlier Moves Toward a US Plant

Audi is considering building its first US vehicle plant in Georgia, according to Handelsblatt, with no board resolution made, FinanzNachrichten.de reported in October 2026. Volkswagen AG is prepared to build its own body-on-frame truck platform for the US market if it cannot reach an agreement with Ford Motor Co. or other automakers, Bloomberg reported in October 2026. Audi CEO attended a Trump campaign event, where the company announced a new SUV plant in the US, Wiwo reported in October 2026.

## What Comes Next for the Audi Plant

Volkswagen's supervisory board has yet to approve the plan. Volkswagen will develop its own body-on-frame truck platform for the US if talks with Ford and other automakers fail, with a final decision expected by end of 2026, CBT News reported.

## Companies in this story

- [Audi AG company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002a9x/audi-ag) · website: http://www.audi.com
- [Volkswagen company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00003ok/volkswagen) · website: https://www.volkswagen.de

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