Audi Moves Closer to Manufacturing Vehicles on U.S. Soil

[Source: Reuters]

We recently reported that Volkswagen Auto Group were exploring plans to produce some Porsche and Audi vehicles domestically for the first time, and it seems that those plans could come together faster than expected. Audi will reportedly expand output in North America and Mercedes will also boost its U.S. production as Europe’s carmakers try to protect themselves against President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.

Trump has raised tariffs on aluminium and steel and threatened a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as on all autos and semiconductors, moves which will hit European carmakers’ finances when they are already battling to bring down high costs in home markets and are fighting competition from China.

While trade and tariff negotiations are still very much in process between nations, the car companies are moving ahead with their own plans. Audi, which currently has no production base in the United States, plans to make its most important cars for the U.S. market in the region and will announce a specific site this year.