Audi CEO Doellner Draws Union Backlash Over Trump Rally Appearance

BERLIN — Audi chief Gernot Doellner faced heavy criticism Monday for appearing alongside US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Perry, Georgia, where he announced plans for a $4 billion US plant producing 200,000 SUVs annually. Christiane Benner, head of Germany's IG Metall union and deputy chair of Volkswagen's supervisory board, said the appearance violated Audi's rules requiring political neutrality before elections. A source said Audi's management board had cleared an exception to its code of conduct beforehand. A Volkswagen supervisory board committee discussed the matter Friday. The plan, Audi's first US plant, requires supervisory board approval and follows efforts to escape import tariffs that cost Audi about €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) last year. It coincides with Volkswagen's push to cut roughly 100,000 jobs amid losses in China and EV transition costs. Lower Saxony premier Olaf Lies called the rally an inappropriate venue for the announcement.