Audi Increases U.S. Investment as Performance Cools; Trump Calls It the Largest Single Investment in the History of the American Auto Industry

German luxury car brand Audi, facing weak sales in other regions around the world, is pinning its hopes on the U.S. market for growth. Audi is also the only German automaker that has not yet built a plant in the United States. U.S. President Trump announced on Saturday that Audi will build its first-ever U.S. factory in Macon, Georgiaanother move by a global automaker to establish a local presence in the United States in response to declining sales in other global markets. Speaking at a midterm election rally in Perry, Georgia, Trump said: "I am very pleased to announce that this outstanding company will make a massive automotive manufacturing investment in the great state of Georgia." Trump said the plant will have an annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles, with construction starting next month. Audi CEO Gernot Dllner appeared on stage with Trump and said: "We plan to produce our largest and most high-end SUVs here in Macon." Trump put the investment at $4.2 billion, calling it the largest single investment in the history of the U.S. auto industry. Audi did not immediately respond to a request for comment, a spokesperson for parent company Volkswagen Group declined to comment, and the White House also did not respond to a request for comment.