German luxury automaker selects Middle Georgia for its first U.S. manufacturing facility, with production expected in the early 2030s.
PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — German luxury automaker Audi has announced plans to invest approximately $4 billion in its first manufacturing facility in the United States, selecting Middle Georgia for a project expected to create approximately 4,500 jobs.
Governor Brian Kemp and Audi CEO Gernot Döllner announced the investment over the weekend, marking another major development in Georgia’s expanding automotive manufacturing industry.
The facility will be constructed at the 1,474-acre Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County, along Georgia Highway 96 near Interstate 75. The location is part of a regional economic development partnership involving Peach, Houston, and Macon-Bibb counties.
Audi plans to manufacture premium sport utility vehicles designed for North American customers at the new facility. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to have the capacity to produce approximately 200,000 vehicles annually.
According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, site grading is scheduled to begin in 2027, followed by construction in 2028. Full production is targeted for 2031.
Audi’s separate announcement describes construction beginning in 2027, with vehicle production anticipated in the early 2030s. Both timelines indicate that the project will develop over several years.
The investment represents Audi’s first manufacturing operation in the United States and an expansion of the company’s global production network, which currently includes major operations in Europe and China.
Audi cited several factors in its decision to locate the facility in Georgia, including the state’s workforce, transportation infrastructure, proximity to automotive suppliers, and access to consumer markets.
The Middle Georgia Megasite has been developed and marketed through cooperation among state officials, the Development Authority of Peach County, and the Mid-Georgia Gateway Joint Development Authority.
The joint authority was established to coordinate economic development efforts among Peach, Houston, and Macon-Bibb counties.
The location also provides access to Interstate 75, rail transportation, and Georgia’s ports in Savannah and Brunswick.
Audi officials said establishing a U.S. manufacturing presence will bring production closer to American customers while helping the company strengthen its position in the North American automotive market.
The proposed facility is expected to create approximately 4,500 direct jobs, although specific hiring dates, positions, and salary ranges have not yet been announced. Georgia’s Quick Start workforce development program will work with Audi to create customized training programs and a dedicated training facility.
The initiative will also involve campuses within the Technical College System of Georgia, providing opportunities for future employees to receive specialized instruction related to automotive manufacturing.
State economic development officials anticipate that the project could also create additional opportunities for suppliers, service providers, and other businesses connected to the automotive industry.
Those potential secondary economic benefits have not yet been quantified.
The Audi announcement adds another international automaker to Georgia’s growing automotive manufacturing sector.
The state has attracted significant automotive investments in recent years, including electric vehicle and battery manufacturing projects, as companies expand their operations and supply networks in the southeastern United States.
Audi’s decision represents a particularly significant development for Middle Georgia, where the project is expected to become a major source of manufacturing employment.
Although the facility will be located outside Southeast Georgia, large-scale automotive investments can create opportunities for businesses involved in transportation, logistics, manufacturing, and workforce development throughout the state.
However, no specific supplier projects or employment opportunities associated with the Audi facility have been announced for Jeff Davis County or surrounding communities.
While the $4 billion investment and projected employment numbers have been announced, the project remains in its early stages. Additional details about hiring, specific vehicle models, construction contracts, and workforce training opportunities are expected as development progresses.
The total value of public incentives associated with the project has not been detailed in the announcements reviewed.
For now, the selection of Peach County represents a significant economic development commitment that could reshape manufacturing and employment opportunities in Middle Georgia over the coming years.
Sources: Audi AG, Office of Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Mid-Georgia Gateway Joint Development Authority.
