Volkswagen’s Group is emphasizing the necessity of growing its presence in the United States, a stance that comes amidst discussions surrounding the controversial appearance of Audi CEO Gernot Döllner at a Trump campaign event. Arno Antlitz, the CFO of VW, told FAZ that the group has long planned for expansion there, stating that these plans were already presented in the company’s capital market strategy in 2023.
Antlitz emphasized that the goal is to expand local value creation in the US, a move he indicated goes beyond merely reacting to tariffs. He believes that such expansion would not only make Audi less vulnerable to geopolitical shifts but would also increase the entire corporation’s resilience. According to Antlitz, strengthening production in America would secure jobs in Europe in the long term, alongside generating new employment opportunities within the US.
The controversy stems from Döllner’s recent appearance at a Trump campaign rally in Georgia, where he announced the development of a new factory. While the corporation has not yet commented on the specific details of any potential agreement with the US regarding the new site, Antlitz reiterated the fundamental requirement: a stronger production base in America is essential for positioning Volkswagen robustly worldwide, establishing a major third pillar alongside traditional operations in Europe and China.
Currently, the tariffs are placing a significant financial burden on the VW Group, amounting to four to five billion euros. This cost encompasses not only direct duties but also lost profits resulting from the inability to offer certain models competitively-such as the Jetta produced in Mexico. Antlitz reported that in the first nine months alone, Volkswagen paid approximately 2.2 billion euros in direct tariffs. Projecting this across the full year, the cost would reach around three billion euros, with Audi absorbing roughly one-third of that financial strain.
