Audi Considers Moving SUV Production from Slovakia to the US
The Volkswagen Slovakia plant in Bratislava faces a potential 30% reduction in production volume as Audi considers shifting the manufacturing of its premium SUV models to a new facility in Georgia, United States. This proposed move, which would affect the assembly of the Audi Q7, Q8, and the upcoming Q9, represents a significant industrial shift for the Slovak automotive sector.
Audi Plans Georgia Factory to Reduce Import Tariffs
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner announced that the company is evaluating the construction of a new factory in Macon, Georgia, to better serve the North American market and mitigate costs associated with import tariffs. Audi incurred approximately 1,2 miliardy eur in U.S. import duties over the last year. The proposed facility is planned to have an annual capacity of do 200-tisíc vehicles and could employ 4,500 people, with construction tentatively scheduled for 2027 and production starting in the early 2030s.
While the Bratislava plant remains a critical hub for the Volkswagen Group, the potential loss of the Audi SUV lines is described as the largest threat to the Slovak automotive industry to date. While the earlier discontinuation of the Volkswagen Touareg model accounted for roughly one-sixth of the plant’s production, the Audi SUV lineup represents approximately 30 percent of output. The facility manufactured 93,106 units of the Audi Q7 and Q8 in 2025 alone.
Volkswagen Board Will Decide on Production Move
The final decision regarding the move rests with the Volkswagen Group’s supervisory board. This decision is expected by the end of this year or early 2027. The project remains subject to approval, and it is currently unclear how the group intends to utilize the vacated production capacity in Bratislava. Döllner has characterized the Bratislava site as an excellent facility, emphasizing that the relocation would impact only one of its three production lines.
The uncertainty has prompted political reactions in Slovakia. Members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic have urged the government to engage in active negotiations with Volkswagen management to secure the future of the plant. Concerns center on the potential impact on the factory’s workforce, which totals more than 11,000 employees. Representatives from the KDH movement have stated that the administration must clarify what conditions or incentives might be offered to ensure these production lines remain in the country.
Audi Localizes Production to Restore US Profitability
This development occurs against a backdrop of global trade tensions and shifting automotive supply chain strategies. The announcement by Audi leadership was highlighted during a visit to Georgia. The move is framed by the automaker as a necessary step to restore profitability in the United States by localizing production.
The potential loss of such high-volume, premium production lines highlights the vulnerability of regional manufacturing hubs to global corporate restructuring.
The threat of the Audi relocation is considered more probable than earlier rumors regarding the loss of the Porsche Cayenne, which was contingent on German employees accepting wage concessions. With the future of the Bratislava lines still under deliberation, the Slovak government faces pressure to demonstrate that the country remains a competitive environment for high-end automotive manufacturing, a sector that has long served as a pillar of the national economy.