Former Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Green Party) has stated that he believes the joint appearance of Audi CEO Gernot Döllner with US President Donald Trump could negatively impact the car manufacturer’s business. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt”, Habeck suggested that a phenomenon similar to the “Tesla effect” might emerge, where consumers might purchase Audis specifically to show opposition, opting for cars that bear stickers stating, “I bought this car before submitting to Trump.” He concluded by noting that Trump frequently achieves outcomes contrary to his intended goals.
This comment follows Trump’s recent announcement regarding the construction of an Audi factory in the US state of Georgia, an event where Döllner was present on stage and thanked the President for the “wonderful opportunity.” Habeck’s remarks draw a parallel to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, whose open support for Trump has often been cited by critics as contributing to reduced sales for the electric vehicle producer.
