Volkswagen may build Porsche and Audi EVs in the US, thanks to Trump’s tariff tantrum
The next Porsche and Audi EVs could be made in the US. Volkswagen is considering moving Porsche and Audi EV production to the US after Trump threatened new tariffs on Europe, Mexico, Canada, and other major trade partners. Here’s how it would work.
Volkswagen mulls building Porsche EVs in the US
Volkswagen is already feeling the pressure after global deliveries fell 2.3% in 2024 to just over 9 million units. The VW Group, including Audi and Porsche, delivered 744,800 EVs last year, down 3.4% from 2023 (771,100).
Although Volkswagen delivered more electric cars in China (+8.3%), it was after a down year in 2023 as it lost market share to EV leaders like BYD. The company said that despite lower EV deliveries in Europe, it “remains by far BEV market leader” with around 21% market share.
In the US, sales of the sole Volkswagen-brand EV, the ID.4, fell 55% last year due to a recall and the rollout of an updated model. VW sold just over 17,000 ID.4s in the US, compared to nearly 37,800 in 2023.
The luxury Porsche brand didn’t fare much better, with Taycan sales slipping 20% year-over-year. Like the ID.4, the Porsche Taycan received a significant refresh this past year. Porsche also began delivering the electric Macan in late 2024.
According to a new report from Germany’s Handelsblatt, Volkswagen is considering expanding US production for Porsche and Audi EVs.
Sources close to the matter told the German newspaper that the group may set up new production sites for the luxury brands.
All Porsche and Audi EVs are currently built outside the US, making them particularly exposed to an increase in tariffs. The Audi Q5 is built in Mexico, while Porsche EV models are produced in Europe.
The move comes after US President Donald Trump proposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada. Most recently, he threatened new tariffs against the European Union (EU), another one of the US’s main trade partners.
According to insiders, Volkswagen’s most likely option is to expand its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the ID.4 is built.
It could also produce Audi EVs at its upcoming plant in SC, designed for the rugged Scout brand. The report suggests Audi could get a hardcore brand for itself, but that will be after Scout launches in 2027.
Porsche will collaborate with Audi to produce larger electric SUVs in the US, likely the Cayenne EV or the larger “K1” flagship model. The new electric SUVs will be based on VW’s new SSP platform, which will replace its current MEB.
Electrek’s Take
The fresh tariff threats from Trump are the latest headache the Volkswagen Group will have to deal with. It’s already losing market share in key global markets like China as EV leaders like BYD continue gaining momentum with lower-cost and often more advanced vehicles.
Volkswagen is now considering selling multiple German plants they plan to halt production at to Chinese automakers.
After several delays, Volkswagen officially canceled the ID.7, its flagship sedan in the US. The model will only be sold in Europe and China.
With pure EV makers like Rivian and Lucid gaining momentum and a slate of new electric models from GM, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo, Jeep, Dodge, and several others arriving, will Volkswagen be able to keep pace in the US? Expanding local production may be the best option to even the playing field.
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Chinese carmaker XPeng is getting perilously close to bringing its AeroHT consumer eVTOL concept to market, thanks to a $250 million Series B round that’s set to accelerate the company’s modular “flying car” production plans.
XPeng subsidiary AeroHT had its first successful proof of concept test flight ahead of the brand’s annual 1024 back in 2023, where the company unveiled a pair of flying car designs. The X3 is an actual flying “car” that can drive, park, and take off on its own, and a second, modular eVTOL that folds up into the back of an electric van called the Land Aircraft Carrier.
That vehicle pair, shown at CES in January, was set to begin production this year, with the eVTOL component set to begin production in 2026 – and that’s looking a lot more likely thanks to the new infusion of capital!
AeroHT at CES 2025
Xpeng Aeroht raised $150 million in Series B1 funding last August, before launching its Series B2 funding round. The most recent announcement that the company has secured an additional $100 million in its Series B2 funding round brings the total amount raised to more than $750 million, with a $1B pre-revenue valuation.
CNEVPost reports that company aims to establish itself as a commercial pioneer in urban air mobility ahead of a potential IPO – and may get there sooner than later, thanks to several hundred pre-orders at the $280,000 projected price.
Electrek’s Take
Scooter Doll said it best, writing, “this footage (of the AeroHT test flight) is as scary and concerning as it is exciting and awe-inspiring.” Which is to say that these things are real, they seem like they’re getting built, and they seem like they’ll sell well enough to convince at least one or two remaining boomers that the flying car they’ve been promised their whole lives is – finally! – coming to market.
Here’s hoping.
SOURCE: Xpeng, via CNEVPost; gallery photos by the author.
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Flooring manufacturer Beauflor USA just turned on the biggest rooftop solar system by capacity in metro Atlanta — and it’s now powering part of its Georgia factory.
The new 1,040 kW system in Cartersville officially beats metro Atlanta’s previous rooftop solar record of 1,034 kW. The new array produces enough energy to power more than 100 homes. The system is expected to cover about 10% of Beauflor’s electricity needs and cut its carbon emissions by about 920 metric tons annually.
“This solar installation represents our commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices while making sound business decisions,” said Emile Coopman, continuous improvement manager at Beauflor. He added that the system is designed with room to grow: “This is the first step toward more renewable energy.”
The company partnered with Cherry Street Energy to install the nearly 2,000-panel system, which was completed in less than four months. Cherry Street invested $1.8 million into the project and is covering all construction and maintenance costs through a 30-year energy procurement agreement. Beauflor will buy solar power directly from Cherry Street, allowing it to avoid upfront capital costs while still lowering its energy bills.
“As Georgia’s manufacturers ramp up production amid rising costs for grid energy, sophisticated operators seek ways to quickly and sustainably address their energy needs,” said Cherry Street CEO Michael Chanin. “On-site solar with no capital expense delivers just that: reliable, affordable electricity.”
Chanin added that the system’s power output is especially impressive: “The previous record-holder for metro Atlanta’s largest rooftop solar required over 4,000 panels. We’re using less than 2,000 to reliably generate even more power.”
Read more: This is New Jersey’s largest high-rise residential rooftop solar array
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Jack Dorsey, co-founder and chief executive officer of Twitter Inc. and Square Inc., listens during the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami, Florida, on Friday, June 4, 2021.
Eva Marie Uzcategui | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Block shares jumped more than 10% in extended trading on Friday, as the fintech company gets set to join the S&P 500, replacing Hess.
It’s the second change to the benchmark this week, after S&P Global announced on Monday that ad-tech firm The Trade Desk would be added to the S&P 500. Trade Desk is taking the place of software maker Ansys, which was acquired by Synopsys in a deal that closed Thursday.
Hess’ departure comes just after Chevron completed its $54 billion purchase of the oil producer, prevailing against Exxon Mobil in a legal dispute over offshore oil assets in the South American nation of Guyana.
Block will officially join the S&P 500 before the opening of trading on July 23, according to a statement from S&P. Stocks often rally when they’re added to a major index, as fund managers need to rebalance their portfolios to reflect the changes.
Most alterations to the S&P 500 take place during the index’s quarterly rebalancing. However, in the case of the closing of an acquisition, a company can be removed from the index and replaced off schedule. Last week monitoring software company Datadog took Juniper Networks’ place in the S&P 500 as part of the index’s quarterly change.
Block’s addition brings further tech heft to an index that’s been steadily moving in that direction in recent years, reflecting the market cap gains of companies across the sector. Block, which gained popularity as Square due to the rapid growth of the company’s payment terminals, has expanded into crypto, lending and other financial services.
Founded by Jack Dorsey in 2009, Square changed its name to Block in 2021 to emphasize its focus on blockchain technologies.
Block shares are down 14% this year, underperforming the broader U.S. market. The Nasdaq is up more than 8%, while the S&P 500 has gained 7%. Still, with a market cap of about $45 billion, Block is valued well above the median company in the index.
In May, Block reported first-quarter results that missed Wall Street expectations on Thursday and issued a disappointing outlook, leading to a plunge in the stock price. Block’s forecast for the second quarter and full year reflected challenging economic conditions that followed sweeping tariff announcements by President Donald Trump.
“We recognize we are operating in a more dynamic macro environment, so we have reflected a more cautious stance on the macro outlook into our guidance for the rest of the year,” the company wrote in its quarterly report.
The company is scheduled to report second-quarter results after the close of regular trading on Aug. 7.
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