In the absence of financial contributions from German automobile conglomerates, US President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony must look elsewhere for support. A spokesperson for Volkswagen AG confirmed that the company did not provide any financial support for the event and that no representative from the company will be in attendance. Similarly, BMW and Mercedes-Benz spokespeople stated that the companies did not make any contributions to the inauguration and will not be represented at the festivities.
This stance differs from that of some of Volkswagen’s international rivals. In December, Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, announced a $1 million donation to the committee organizing the inauguration events. General Motors and Ford, US automobile companies, also pledged the same amount and will provide vehicles for the festivities.
Typically, major donors receive tickets to the inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol or the Inauguration Ball. The German automobile conglomerates, however, are heavily reliant on the policies of the future US president, as they operate plants in the US and Mexico. Trump’s proposal to impose higher auto tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and the EU could significantly impact the industry.