Audi Plans $4 Billion Factory in Peach County

Audi will build its first United States manufacturing plant in Peach County, Georgia, near Macon. The German automaker plans to invest approximately $4 billion in the facility. The project is expected to create about 4,500 jobs in the region.

Gernot Döllner, CEO and chairman of the Audi AG board, announced the plans on Saturday. He stated the company wants to be closer to customers in North America. The plant will produce up to 200,000 vehicles a year by 2031, including SUVs tailored for the continent.

Gov. Brian Kemp, who is term-limited and prepares to leave office in January, called the announcement mission accomplished. When he campaigned for governor eight years ago, Kemp pledged to bring more jobs to rural parts of the state. He assembled three megasites east and south of Atlanta to attract large employers. Rivian chose the site near Social Circle first. Hyundai selected the second site near Savannah. Audi is the third company to pick a megasite.

Pat Wilson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the jobs will be high-tech and in a highly automated plant. Workers will earn an average of more than $63,000 a year. The plant will pump $283 million annually into the state economy. Wilson described the positions as quality, high-skill jobs.

The deal has been in the making for nearly two years, though it has not been finalized. Audi’s board of directors must still approve the agreement. Kemp said the process began after he read a Wall Street Journal article about Audi’s interest in making cars in the United States. He asked Wilson to arrange a meeting at the Munich Security Conference in early 2025. Kemp called it a cold call. The two sides met in a small hotel room. Georgia officials showed Audi executives the megasite. Audi executives were quiet at first but later expressed interest. The company paused negotiations before returning to the table.

Kemp said Georgia competed with other states to land the project. He cited the site’s location near rail lines, ports, and automotive parts suppliers as key factors. He also highlighted access to a skilled workforce. Both Kemp and Wilson noted that the megasites are prepared for quick construction. This speed to market helped Georgia rank as the top state for business for the 13th consecutive year in a recent survey by Area Development magazine. The state also ranked first for cooperative and responsive government.

Kemp said the factory will act as a magnet for related businesses. Suppliers and other companies will likely follow the main plant, contributing to economic growth long after Kemp leaves office in January.