At President Trump’s midterm election rally, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner (ゲルノート・デルナー) joined the speech and announced plans to invest $4.2 billion in a plant in the state. Criticism is mounting in Germany.
At a rally related to the US midterm elections, President Trump announced plans for a new plant in Georgia, and Audi CEO Gernot Döllner (ゲルノート・デルナー) took the podium and spoke in support of the announcement. The announcement is being presented as a sign of Audi’s long-term confidence in the US market.
Under the investment plan, Audi will invest $4.2 billion in Georgia to build a plant. CEO Gernot Döllner (ゲルノート・デルナー) said the investment was long term, based on confidence in the US domestic market, and used his appearance alongside President Trump to support the plan.
The move drew a series of criticisms from labor unions and politicians in Germany. Christiane Benner (ベンナー), chair of IG Metall, criticized the action as shameful and politically unacceptable, while others pointed to a violation of internal company rules.
CDU Member of the European Parliament Dennis Radtke (デニス・ラトケ) described it as an election performance for Trump, while Pantisano (パンティザーノ), a co-leader of the left wing, called for Döllner’s resignation. Audi later explained that Döllner had only delivered a speech after receiving an invitation, and said it recognized the possibility that his appearance could be interpreted as political support.