Christian Benner, chair of Germany’s largest union IG Metall, called Audi CEO’s
appearance alongside US President Trump at a Georgia campaign event “extremely
embarrassing” and said it has intensified tensions around Audi’s restructuring.
Trump announced Audi plans to invest about $4bn to build a factory near Macon,
Georgia to produce its largest SUV; Audi’s CEO thanked Trump and called the
project a “great opportunity.” Benner, who is also vice chair of Volkswagen’s
supervisory board, warned labor representatives will have a say on whether the
plant goes ahead. Worker representatives are seeking guarantees for Audi and
VW’s German plants, and any new US factory requires approval from VW’s
supervisory board, where employees hold half the seats.
