Audi Picks Georgia for Its First U.S. Plant: About $4 Billion and 4,500 Jobs at the Middle Georgia Megasite
ANALYSIS · October 24, 2026
Slug: audi-georgia-plant-middle-georgia-megasite
Package note: This Analysis covers the October 24, 2026, press release from the Office of Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp announcing that AUDI AG will build its first U.S. manufacturing facility at the Middle Georgia Megasite in Peach County. All figures are the state’s and the company’s announced plans and expectations, not completed investment or hiring. The release does not state the value of any state or local incentives.
Primary sources
- Office of the Governor of Georgia (October 24, 2026): https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-10-24/gov-kemp-audi-ag-selects-georgia-invest-4-billion-first-us-manufacturing
Gov. Brian Kemp and AUDI AG CEO Gernot Döllner announced that Audi, headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany, will open its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Georgia. According to the release, Audi plans to invest approximately $4 billion at the Middle Georgia Megasite and expects approximately 4,500 new jobs. Audi expects to begin grading in 2027 and construction in 2028, with full production expected in 2031 at an annual capacity of 200,000 units. The plant is to build premium SUVs for North American customers. The site was developed and marketed by the Development Authority of Peach County with the Mid-Georgia Gateway Joint Development Authority (Houston, Macon-Bibb and Peach counties).
Core Tension
The governor’s office calls the project “truly historic investment and jobs to middle Georgia.” The numbers are announced plans: “approximately” $4 billion and “approximately” 4,500 jobs, with full production not expected until 2031. The release does not list state or local incentives, tax abatements or wage figures; it says only that wages “will be well-paying in the local market.” It also does not say whether the 4,500 jobs are direct Audi positions or include contractors and suppliers.
What the press release does
| Element | Text / effect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Company | AUDI AG, headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany; first U.S. manufacturing facility | Release, para. 1 |
| Location | Middle Georgia Megasite, Peach County | Release, para. 1 and site section |
| Investment | “approximately $4 billion” | Release, para. 1 |
| Jobs | “approximately 4,500 new jobs to middle Georgia” | Release, para. 1 |
| Timeline | Grading expected 2027; construction 2028; full production expected 2031 | Release, para. 4 |
| Capacity | Annual capacity of 200,000 units | Release, para. 4 |
| Product | “Cutting-edge premium SUVs tailored to North American customers” | Release, para. 4 |
| Why Georgia | Audi cited speed-to-market, workforce, access to consumer markets and proximity to an established automotive supply chain | Release |
| Workforce training | Georgia Quick Start will develop customized training and a dedicated training facility, with Technical College System of Georgia campuses | Release |
| Logistics | Norfolk Southern Class I rail access; Ports of Savannah and Brunswick reachable by rail in under 5 hours; Hartsfield-Jackson about a 90-minute drive | Release |
Claims check
| Claim | Assessment | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Audi will invest about $4 billion in its first U.S. manufacturing facility, in Georgia | Stated in release (planned) | Release, para. 1 |
| The plant will bring about 4,500 new jobs | Stated in release (projected) | Release, para. 1 |
| Full production is expected in 2031 at 200,000 units a year | Stated in release (expected) | Release, para. 4 |
| This is Audi’s first U.S. manufacturing facility | Stated in release | Headline and para. 1 |
| The state bought and improved the Middle Georgia Megasite for this kind of project | Stated in release | Gov. Kemp quote |
Context / what to watch
- Incentives: Any state or local incentive agreement, tax abatement or development-authority filing for the project.
- Milestones: Grading in 2027, construction in 2028, full production in 2031.
- Hiring: Job postings and Georgia Quick Start training schedules.
Reviewed and checked against the Georgia Governor’s Office release · Kelvic Report · 2026-10-26 · for /analysis/audi-georgia-plant-middle-georgia-megasite