Made in USA News, Oct. 23–25, 2026: Audi Picks Georgia for Its First U.S. Factory, a $4 Billion, 4,500-Job Bet

The weekend's biggest Made in USA story comes from Middle Georgia. Audi will build its first factory in the United States at the Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County, investing about $4 billion and creating about 4,500 jobs. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's office announced the project on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and AUDI AG published its own release on October 25. Every figure below comes from those releases or from CNBC's report, each linked with its date.

What did Audi announce?

AUDI AG, October 25, 2026; Office of the Governor of Georgia, October 24, 2026. Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, says it will establish its first U.S. production site in Georgia. The key numbers:

• Investment: about $4 billion
• Jobs: about 4,500
• Capacity: up to 200,000 vehicles a year
• Location: the Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County, run by the Mid-Georgia Gateway joint development authority of Houston County, Macon-Bibb County and Peach County

Audi calls the United States the world's second-largest premium car market and says North America will become a third production pillar alongside Europe and China. The Audi Group currently runs 21 production sites in 12 countries, employs more than 88,000 people and sells in more than 110 markets, according to the governor's release.

When will the Georgia plant start building cars?

The two releases describe the timeline slightly differently, so here are both:

• Audi: construction starts in 2027, with production beginning in the early 2030s.
• Georgia governor's office: site grading in 2027, building construction in 2028 and full production of 200,000 units a year in 2031.

That's a long runway. Like every factory announcement, these are plans: the jobs will show up in official employment data only once the plant is built and staffed. For how announcements turn into payroll, see our explainer on U.S. manufacturing jobs since 1939.

Why is Audi building in the United States now?

CNBC, October 24, 2026. President Trump announced the plant at a rally in Perry, Georgia, CNBC reported. According to CNBC:

• All Audis sold in the U.S. today are imported, from Europe or Mexico.
• Audi has said tariffs cost it €1.2 billion (about $1.4 billion) last year.
• Separately, Audi has planned to build about 25,000 vehicles a year at Volkswagen's $2 billion Scout Motors plant in South Carolina.

Which models? Audi's own release doesn't name them. CNBC cited a Reuters report quoting a U.S. official who said the plant would build the Q7, Q8 and Q9 SUVs. Until Audi confirms, treat that as reported rather than official.

Why did Audi choose Middle Georgia?

The governor's release points to logistics and training:

• Rail: the site is served by Norfolk Southern.
• Ports: the Port of Savannah and Port of Brunswick are under five hours by rail, which matters for importing parts and exporting finished vehicles.
• Air: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is about a 90-minute drive.
• Workforce: Georgia Quick Start, the state's workforce training program, will support hiring and training.

How does Audi compare with Georgia's other auto plants?

Figures as stated by the Georgia governor's office at announcement. Audi's is approximate. Announced figures are plans, not money already spent.

Source: Office of the Governor of Georgia (Audi) · Office of the Governor of Georgia (Hyundai) · Office of the Governor of Georgia (Rivian)

View the data

Project (year announced)	Investment ($ billions)
Hyundai Metaplant (2022)	$5.54
Rivian (2021)	$5.00
Audi (2026)	$4.00

Georgia has become one of the country's busiest places for new vehicle plants. In December 2021, Rivian announced a $5 billion plant, which the state called the single largest economic development project in its history. In May 2022, Hyundai Motor Group announced its $5.54 billion Metaplant, Georgia's first fully dedicated EV and battery plant. Audi's roughly $4 billion is smaller on paper, but it's the first Audi factory anywhere in the U.S.

Jobs (thousands)Vehicles per year (thousands)

Rivian's figure is its stated maximum annual capacity. Jobs are the approximate totals given at announcement.

Source: Office of the Governor of Georgia

View the data

Project	Jobs (thousands)	Vehicles per year (thousands)
Hyundai (2022)	8.1	300.0
Rivian (2021)	7.5	400.0
Audi (2026)	4.5	200.0

By the numbers each project gave at announcement, Audi's plan is smaller than the other two in both jobs and annual capacity. Even so, it adds a third major vehicle maker to the list of big Georgia plant announcements since 2021.

What else happened in U.S. manufacturing this week?

Office of the Governor of North Carolina, October 22, 2026. US Conec, which makes fiber-optic connectivity components, will invest $149.7 million to expand in Hickory, North Carolina, and create 224 jobs, Governor Josh Stein announced. It's another sign of the fiber and data infrastructure build-out behind several projects in our October 21–23 roundup. Browse products made in North Carolina.

What does this mean for American shoppers?

A U.S.-built Audi is still years away, so for now this is a story about jobs and supply chains more than shopping. For everyday purchases, our guide on how to verify a "Made in USA" claim explains what labels really mean.

You can support Georgia makers right now. Two of our favorites from the Peach State, plus a Texas-made cooler for the road:

Savannah Bee Company honey comes from Savannah, and Braswell's red pepper jelly is made in Statesboro. See every product made in Georgia or browse the grocery category.