Audi defends US production expansion and presidential meeting

Audi is planning to establish its first manufacturing facility in the United States, citing a strategic need to improve long-term competitiveness. The company noted that its current U.S. operations are not profitable, and establishing local production is intended to mitigate trade and currency risks while tapping into the world’s second-largest premium automotive market.

Company leadership emphasized that this shift is not an exit from Germany but a necessary step to align with industry peers who have long maintained local manufacturing footprints in the U.S. The goal is to better manage global operations and secure the company's financial future.

Following criticism regarding a public appearance with the President of the United States during the project's announcement, Audi issued a statement clarifying its position. The company explained that the joint appearance was an invitation received during site negotiations, which they accepted to advance business interests. Audi acknowledged that the event was perceived as a political signal, stating that they take such public perceptions seriously while maintaining that their actions were driven by economic necessity.