Audi boss slammed for appearing alongside Donald Trump after confirming $4bn US investment

The CEO confirmed that the production site would be the brand’s first production site in the United States and would create 4,500 jobs.

While the plant still needs to be approved by parent company, Volkswagen, construction of the plant is expected to begin next year.

It will be designed to produce 200,000 vehicles a year when production begins in the early 2030s.

The Perry factory will develop premium SUVs tailored to the North American market in a bid to avoid huge tariffs imposed by the US government.

Mr Döllner announced the investment on stage with President Donald Trump as he attempts to raise support for Republicans ahead of the midterms in early November.

Commenting on the investment, the 57-year-old CEO said: “We have much greater ambitions for Audi in America.

“The United States is one of the world’s most important premium markets, and we have not yet realised our full potential.

“We are determined to change that – with premium products, a stronger brand and a competitive local production base.

“This is about building a stronger Audi business in America – not only about building a factory.”

However, Mr Döllner has been met with fierce backlash from Germany’s largest union over his appearance with the Republican President.

Christiane Benner, president of IG Metall, which has around 2.2 million members across Germany, issued a damning statement on the appearance.

She said: “The way Gernot Döllner presented himself and Audi in the US is highly embarrassing, politically unacceptable, and unworthy of the company – but above all, of Audi’s employees.”

Ms Benner added that she “unequivocally condemns” Mr Döllner’s presentation, claiming that it violated Audi’s rules on political neutrality in the run-up to elections.

She also criticised the investment in the United States at a time when thousands of employees in Germany were calling for job security, noting that IG Metall’s focus is on the employment prospects at local plants.

Ms Benner continued, saying: “This will also shape future debates and decisions within the governing bodies.

“The Executive Board must finally take a clear and binding stance on the future of the plants; the onus is on them.

“Furthermore, the following applies: The final decision on a possible new plant in the US is subject to the approval of the governing bodies, which means that the final vote will – rightly and importantly – be made by the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG after taking a holistic view.”