Audi CEO is anticipating tariff clarity in the coming months

CDG News Alert (1 min. read)

Author

Anna del Villar
May 12, 2025

Driving the news: Audi CEO Gernot Doellner expects the ongoing EU-US trade talks to provide some clarity on car import tariffs soon, reports Reuters.

For context: European carmakers are currently getting slammed with a hefty 25% tariff when selling vehicles to American customers, forcing many to yank their 2025 financial forecasts.

Why it matters: Without any U.S. factories, Audi is especially vulnerable to these tariffs compared to competitors who build cars on American soil, making any potential trade agreement crucial for its future in the world's second-largest car market.

What we're watching: Doellner confirmed Audi will make a decision about potential U.S. production this year. And they're currently weighing either building their own plant or using existing Volkswagen facilities. 

Between the lines: Audi recently reported a healthy 12.4% revenue increase in Q1 (reaching €15.43 billion or $17.14 billion), driven largely by a 30.1% jump in electric vehicle sales. However, the company excluded any potential tariff impacts from its full-year guidance of €67.5 - 72.5 billion ($74.96 - 80.52 billion) in revenue.

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