Porsche And Audi Might Be Forced To Start Building Cars In America

Porsche and Audi are reportedly considering U.S. production if the Trump administration follows through on its proposed tariffs on vehicles imported from Europe and Mexico.

The potential tariffs, which could take effect as early as February 1, 2025, would significantly impact both brands, as every model they currently sell in the U.S. is sourced from outside the country.

According to a report from Handelsblatt, both Porsche and Audi are dangerously exposed to the potential import levies. Porsche’s lineup—including the 911, 718, Panamera, Taycan, and Macan—is built exclusively in Germany, while the Cayenne comes from Slovakia. Audi’s Q5 is manufactured in Mexico, with the rest of its U.S. models coming from Europe.

While shifting production stateside isn’t an overnight fix, both brands could potentially leverage Volkswagen’s existing operations in the U.S. to mitigate the impact of tariffs. The most immediate option would be expanding Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, facility, which currently produces the Atlas and ID.4 and reportedly has excess capacity.

Another possibility is using the upcoming Scout Motors plant in South Carolina, which is being built to produce the all-electric Terra and Traveler SUVs. However, that facility isn’t expected to come online until 2027.

While President Trump has yet to confirm the new tariffs, his recent statements suggest a strong likelihood of their implementation. He already indicated a 25% tariff on vehicles imported from Mexico and Canada, though no formal policy has been enacted. Tariffs on European imports remain even more ambiguous, with the president broadly criticizing EU trade policies without specifying exact figures.

Neither Porsche nor Audi has ever built vehicles in the U.S., and it remains unclear which models they would choose to produce domestically if the shift occurs. Neither brand has publicly commented on the report, but if the tariffs move forward, they may not have an option.

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