Audi realizes its "High Tech Excellence" in six factories with legendary automotive manufacturing traditions. Advanced logistics processes, the synchronized Audi Production System and more than 60,000 highly qualified employees guarantee Audi's consistently high standards worldwide. Whether in Germany, Belgium, Hungary, India or China, all Audi manufacturing plants demonstrate the highest quality, efficiency and environmental compatibility.
In Germany, Audi manufactures at two sites with a rich tradition in the automotive industry - in the cities of Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. It is here that technical developments are mainly carried out, and many discoveries have been made here. Visitors have a great opportunity to get into the history and philosophy of the four rings brand. Since 2010, the Brussels plant has been producing the Audi A1. About 1.9 million high-tech engines are produced annually at the Hungarian plant in the city of Gyor. In addition, at Aurangabad and Changchun factories, Audi manufactures premium vehicles for the growing markets of China and India.
Factory in Ingolstadt (Germany)
Over 500,000 vehicles roll off the production line of AUDI AG's largest plant every year. It is here that the production lines for the Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi A5 and Audi Q5 are installed. The Audi TT Coupé and Audi TT Roadster models produced in partnership with Audi Hungaria also pass through the body shop and paint shop.
Factory in Neckarsulm (Germany)
As a traditional center for automotive production, the Neckarsulm city is home to premium models: the Audi A8, Audi A6 and Audi A4. Many typical Audi innovations see the light of day for the first time at this second largest Audi plant in Germany. quattro GmbH builds the Audi A6 and Audi R8 in Neckarsulm. A visit to the Forum Audi in Neckarsulm is an unforgettable experience of immersing yourself in the fascinating world of automotive engineering.
Plant in Gyor (Hungary)
Győr, a Hungarian city on the Danube, is an ideal place for the production of high-tech engines and cars. Its advantages are not limited to a developed labor market with a large number of skilled workers and highly educated graduates.
Factory in Changchun (China)
Audi's activities in China began 20 years ago. In 2007, the company's annual vehicle sales to Chinese customers surpassed the 100,000 mark for the first time. In the same year, more than 93,000 vehicles rolled off the lines of the traditional model factory in Changchun. Today, Audi is the fastest growing premium brand in China and Hong Kong. The company's market share in the premium car segment is about 42%.
Factory in Brussels (Belgium)
The creation of the fourth production site in Europe was the basis for sustaining the sustainable growth achieved by Audi and ensuring it in the long term. The Audi A1 has been produced in Brussels since 2010.
Factory in Aurangabad (India)
At its plant in Maharashtra, Audi manufactures vehicles for sale in the growing Indian market. The plant is located in the university city of Aurangabad. The Audi A6 has been produced here since 2006 and the Audi A4 since 2008. By 2015, the annual production of the Audi A6 should exceed 2,000 vehicles, and the Audi A4 - 11,000.
Factory in Bratislava (Slovakia)
AUDI AG manufactures the Audi Q7 in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Approximately 1,300 people at the modern Volkswagen Slovakia plant assemble this powerful vehicle from car kits - a representative of the SUV segment.
Factory in Martorell (Spain)
The production of the Audi Q3 model began in the first half of 2011. This compact car is assembled using state-of-the-art equipment at the SEAT plant in the Spanish city of Martorell. The annual production volume is over 100,000 vehicles. In 2009 and 2010. for the release of the Audi Q3, a new body shop and assembly line were built. The total capital investment in the production of this model in Martorel exceeded 300 million euros.
One of the largest and most successful German automotive concerns has seen a chic development in recent years. Audi brand cars have always been considered a premium class, under the wing of the huge Audi-Volkswagen corporation, this brand has received great opportunities to use the best technologies, the most successful solutions in the technical and design part. It is these features of the car that attract their customers, despite the ever-increasing price tags and incredible equipment, in which you can find a lot of unnecessary parts. Audi today competes with BMW and is also one of the main rivals of Japanese and American luxury brands. It is this fate that the current features of the growth of the corporation envisage.
Among the first questions that potential car buyers ask is the question of assembling cars. Many people believe that all Audi models, as premium cars, are assembled exclusively in Germany. In fact, the brand has a mass of assembly plants around the world, which explains its prevalence both on the distant shores of the Atlantic and in the difficult Australian market. It is also an interesting fact that Audi cars are today officially recognized as the best purchase in the secondary market, which increases their popularity due to the proven quality and huge service life. Let's look at the main features of the assembly of cars of this German brand.
Geographic distribution of Audi cars
The automotive companies that make up the Volkswagen AG group are incredibly widespread all over the world. Today it is one of the largest geographic concerns, which successfully operates on almost all continents. In most cases, outside of Germany, only SKD machines take place, the main production assets are located within the European country. As for Audi cars, the company offers a wide assembly geography. The largest enterprises outside of Germany are located in North America, one of the first markets for the purchase of these vehicles. In general, in the world you can find companies related to Audi in the following countries:
- Germany - more than ten factories of different directions and large research and engineering centers;
- USA - the largest assembly and production unit with its own model range and technical features;
- Brazil - five enterprises that produce SKD for all Latin American countries;
- Argentina and Mexico are two other Latin countries where some models are assembled;
- South Africa - almost the entire model range for Africa is assembled at a large plant in this country;
- India and Malaysia are Asian concerns created to reduce the cost of some production processes;
- China is a huge division of Audi that designs and manufactures engines, bodies and all other parts for cars in Asia;
- Slovakia and Belgium - some engineering developments for the concern are carried out in these countries.
There are also assembly facilities for Audi cars in Russia, but they are not very common. The Volkswagen AG plant in Kaluga today assembles the Audi A6 and the Audi A8, two of the most popular sedans in their class for the Russian market. In most cases, these machines are sold to businesses or politicians, so the corporation left mass assembly in our country. The remaining models, which were previously assembled in Russia, left our conveyors and are exported to the country from Europe. This caused a slight increase in the price of cars, but the quality has increased significantly. Let's face it, the Kaluga assembly needs certain changes in the technological process. This is evidenced by the deteriorating reviews of the new popular A6 sedans.
The main assembly features of the Audi concern
The company has time to monitor all its divisions. The concern conducts strict quality control of the assembly, which is what caused the removal of some Audi models from Russian production, in particular the Q5 and Q7 crossovers. Customers expect more from a company than just good quality. In Europe, the assembly of Audi takes place in full, every detail of the future vehicle is subject to strict certification. It is worth noting that the corporation is actively developing technologies that will later be successfully inherited by other brands of the concern. Today, the main tasks and principles of the company are as follows:
- the highest quality of cars, the absence of any childhood diseases in new developments;
- extended testing of each technology that is introduced into the technical or functional part of the machines;
- certification of each individual piece of equipment, testing and grinding of parts at the factory;
- maximum automation of production even in those countries where it is more profitable to use manual labor;
- assembly control, which is carried out by German experts at each plant where Audi is assembled;
- multi-stage system for selecting materials for the interior, high-quality plastic and excellent layout;
- the most modern design features, a constant competition among the best designers of the company.
Audi is one of the few brands that does not have one permanent design office. The corporation collects a competitive submission from different departments of its designers, and then selects the best practices. However, other projects do not remain idle, because the company has brands such as Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat, which are less picky about the appearance of their equipment. That is why Audi always has the best design features among those presented to the management to choose from. However, this is a rather subjective field of activity, because someone likes the Spanish Seat much more than the classic stylish image of Audi.
New models - smart development of technology from Audi
Not a single model lingers today on the conveyor of a corporation for more than five years. Yes, and five years for such cars can be quite a long time. Therefore, in most cases, the corporation offers an updated style of its cars even before the old design becomes irrelevant. Many potential buyers are surprised at how quickly the design range of cars is being updated, but this is not too much of a concern for the company's picky management. In 2015, the corporation introduced a fairly large number of new products and restyling, the main attention among which is attracted by the following updates:
- Audi RS4 Avant - a large station wagon with sporty performance and futuristic design, stiff suspension and powerful engines, costs from 4,700,000 rubles;
- Audi RS5 Coupe - a chic sports car with incredible style and very advanced technology, the car is able to surprise with sporty dynamics and a price of 4,800,000 rubles;
- Audi S6 Avant - a new model with sporty inclinations, low ground clearance and amazing dynamics, chic engines make the trip unforgettable, and the price is raised to 4,480,000 rubles;
- Audi Q3 and RS Q3 are amazing compact crossovers with a real zeal for the future, not only in design but also in the technical part, the cars start at a price of 1,615,000 and 2,990,000 rubles, respectively;
- Audi Q7 - a generation-changing large crossover has become the focus of the company's lineup, the optimal appearance and advanced technology began to cost from 3,630,000 rubles.
Do not forget about such designer models as the Audi TTS Coupe and Audi R8 Coupe. These are the most expensive and unique representatives of passenger cars from the German concern, which have proven their right to exist with unexpectedly high sales around the world. New developments in the design of the automobile concern are becoming even more aggressive, the company offers more and more interesting features and presents unforgettable features of the technical part of its cars. Development does not stop even for a second, so next year we will look at the Audi lineup with completely different eyes. Let's be amazed by Audi's new technologies as we test drive the 2015 Q7:
Summing up
A different look at Audi cars can provide both unexpected surprise and disappointment. Some people liked the soft, flowing lines of the premium sedans of the early 2000s, while others prefer the unique sharp and aggressive design of the current generation of cars. But we can safely say that the company is growing faster than its competitors, offering more affordable models with no less exciting technology under the hood. Also, it will not be superfluous to notice the unique developments of the corporation, which amaze the imagination with their capabilities.
It is still difficult to predict what will be the further development of the geography of Volkswagen AG and Audi. But it can be unmistakably said that the growth and expansion of the corporation is inevitable. Today we see the future in the machines of this company. All European concerns are trying to imitate the technical and visual developments that the German luxury brand offers. And how do you feel about the modern style and features of the development of the technical part of the Audi automobile company?
Audi A4 is a class "D" sedan, which is liked by both ordinary consumers and officials. The latest generation of the model was introduced this year and has not yet reached our market.
In fact, the car became an updated version of the Audi 80 and was released in 1994. Some features of its predecessor are still recognizable in it. The car has the highest production volume in the line of the German company. In terms of the number of cars, it is in fourth place after the models of the world's main manufacturers.
In March 2011, the five millionth copy of the car rolled off the assembly line. But where the Audi A4 is assembled, we will consider in this article.
Where is the Audi A4 assembled for the world market:
— Germany, plant in Ingolstadt and Wolfsburg;
— China, factory in Changchun;
— Japan, factory in Tokyo;
— Ukraine, plant in Solomonovo;
— Indonesia, plant in Jakarta;
— India, plant in Aurangabad.
The car is delivered to Russia directly from Germany. We will talk about the characteristics of the model later.
In 2013, the Audi A4 was supposed to be assembled in Russia. SKD in Kaluga was sanctioned with German manufacturers.
The matter is that in our country since next year it is forbidden to officials to buy the cars made not at us. And the fourth Audi is quite popular among politicians.
The new production was announced back in August 2012. The chairman of the corporation spoke about the fact that Audi A4, A5 and A6 will be assembled in Russia.
But, this year we not only decided not to introduce new production facilities, but also to close the old ones. The model range, assembled in Kaluga, has been reduced by three times. Now only Audi A6 and A8 are produced here. The capacity of the plant allows to produce 10 thousand cars per year. But, how much has been released over the past 11 months of 2015 is not reported. The economic situation does not allow the plant to operate at full capacity.
The conveyor was resumed in 2013, when the company's management had an idea to increase production. All parts were delivered to us from Germany, and we only fastened together.
Then 570 million euros were invested in the plant. Due to inflation, they actually disappeared.
In the first two months of this year, sales of the Audi A4 in Russia fell by 23%. The rest of the dynamics is still kept secret.
Characteristics of the Audi A4 for our market
Audi A4 for the Russian market is being upgraded for the eighth time. But, this model is completely redone. Some motorists were worried that it turned out worse than its predecessor. Let's see if this is the case.
The axle weighting has been much improved. To be honest, it's almost perfect. The motor is located in the front axle. Therefore, the hood turned out to be a little loaded. Engineers slightly increased the wheelbase. Compared with the seventh generation, it has become 160 millimeters larger. The battery, oddly enough, was moved to the trunk.
The car has become much more manageable and stable. Now you can ride it quickly and actively. The body came out branded. He received a predatory front end and an aggressive bumper. Narrowed front optics goes well with the trapezoidal grille.
For our market, the Germans made two modifications. We are talking about a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon. The latter is not very popular among our consumers. But everything sells well. Even on the basis of the sedan, they made a model similar to an SUV.
The classic car is extremely resistant to corrosion. Even if you peel off the paint a little, the metal will not rust. Passive safety for both passenger and driver received five stars in 2009. Here you can see excellent LED lights that are everywhere. It looks technologically advanced, but in practice it is completely unsightly, or rather, expensive.
In the salon you can feel all the high cost and premium of the brand. Solid and high-quality materials will not leave anyone indifferent. The details fit very precisely, and the wear resistance of the skin has been proven for generations. Even in the basic version, the machine is equipped with quite expensive.
The central part of the front panel is turned towards the driver. The seats have developed support and the zero position of the speedometer needles with a tachometer. The wheelbase of 2810 millimeters is suitable for any road. There is plenty of room in the back seat for everyone. If you sit in the middle, then the massive floor will interfere with you. The shelf at the rear window begins to creak over time, and the power windows work with a squeak. But, these are all the shortcomings that were found.
Gasoline and diesel engines are presented on our market in different proportions. In gasoline units, an individual ignition coil may fail. The most popular engine is the 1.8 liter engine. But the most unclaimed 3.2-liter.
For gasoline units, the chain can stretch and the hydraulic tensioner break. This happens with runs from 70 to 100 thousand kilometers. Therefore, do not forget to control the motor. The pump of a 1.8-liter engine may leak.
Audi A4 can be front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. They are quite stable and passable. The transmission has no weaknesses. It's a six-speed manual here. On the market, you can also find a variator or a robot. The latest dual-clutch gearbox is a little weak.
The suspension of the car is similar to the predecessor unit. And front and rear there is a multi-link. The chassis is energy intensive. Stiffness settings vary, as do dampers. The four operating modes of the machine are changed by a button near the gear selector. Over time, it may become difficult to replace parts. The bolts may stop turning. You have to heat them up and drill them out.
Trunk volume is 480 liters. This is quite a lot for such a model. The parking brake is electric. It is activated by a button near the gear selector.
The weak points of the car is the gasoline engine. It has chain stretch. Optics can also fail. Especially the front. The LEDs are on in the back.
In general, the advantages of the car include high safety, rich finishing materials and high-quality seats. Also, it is worth noting the problem-free motor and a good transmission. Stability and handling all all sorts of praise.
The price of the car is quite high. But, for the German assembly, it is acceptable. Unfortunately, the optics often burn out, and the seats fold only as an option. But, this is all insignificant, because the Audi A4 is very high quality and reliable. Therefore, if you value prestige and rich design, you can afford it.
The latest generation of the Audi A3 appeared on our market in 2013. The sedan immediately became popular, as many motorists turned their attention to it. In 2014, the model received the title of "car of the year".
So far, its sales have not dropped. Therefore, if you are interested in this car, then you just need to find out where the Audi A3 is assembled. So you can be sure of its quality and reliability.
Where is the Audi A3 assembled for Russia
Audi A3 is assembled in:
— Hungary. The plant is located in Gyor. The production of the model began in 2012. It went on sale in Russia in August of the same year. The cost of production was 900 million euros;
- Germany. Production is established in the city of Ingolstadt.
— Brazil. The factory is located in Curitiba;
- Belgium city of Brussels;
- Indonesian city of Jakarta;
- China, Foshan province.
The machine is delivered to Russia from Germany and Hungary. The representatives of the company had plans to organize production in our country, although now, due to our economic situation, this is impossible. But, the assembly of German and Hungarian engineers is not bad at all. Below we will look at where the Audi A3 is assembled, and how this assembly differs.
Distinctive features of the Hungarian Audi A3
After organizing the production of the Audi A3 in Hungary, its capacity at first amounted to 125 thousand cars every year. Now it has been increased a little. The sedan was the first of its kind to be produced outside of Germany. The car turned out to be of high quality thanks to all the necessary workshops created by the company's engineers.
Nowadays, the plant employs more than 9 thousand people. After the model appeared on the Hungarian market, Russian dealers announced ruble prices for the new product. It will cost customers 870 thousand rubles for the basic package.
A 1.4-liter gasoline engine was installed under the hood of the car. It produces 140 horsepower with 250 Nm of torque. Up to a hundred, the car accelerates in 8.4 seconds, and the maximum speed is 217 kilometers per hour. The average fuel consumption per hundred kilometers per hour is 4.7 liters on average.
In a more expensive configuration, you will get a 1.8-liter gasoline engine. It produces 180 horsepower with 250 Nm of torque. Up to hundreds of kilometers per hour, the model accelerates in 7.3 seconds. The maximum speed is 235 kilometers per hour.
Another engine is a two-liter diesel unit. It produces 150 horsepower with 320 Nm of torque.
Characteristics of the Audi A3 German Assembly
The machine of the German assembly differs from the Hungarian even in its appearance. For example, the lateral line is very pronounced here. It makes the design dynamic and adds a bit of sport.
The popularity of the German sedan is not at all strange, because in the production of painting and welding the body is monitored by as many as two thousand workers. Since 1996, they have produced over 2.7 million cars.
It is surprising that there are as many as 700 junction points of the rear wing with the bumper. Engineers were able to reduce the curb weight of the model, but increased its capacity. An innovative platform and a new body design helped in this. It consists of heavy-duty, high-strength, hardened and ordinary steel.
The hood lost seven kilograms in weight, the aluminum fenders were reduced by 2.2 kilograms each, the airbag cover was reduced by 0.6 kilograms, and the seats were lightened by 4 kilograms. These are the biggest "losses", it's not worth talking about small ones, but they are also significant. In total, 80 kilograms were lost in weight.
The all-wheel drive system of the new German Audi A3 received a multi-plate electro-hydraulic clutch. Noise-absorbing mats not only reduced weight, but also made the cabin much quieter.
The line of motors is exactly the same - the same as in the Hungarian assembly. We have already mentioned them above. It is worth mentioning that they have become more economical by 12%. Also, the time of their heating has decreased.
The interior of the car is quite convenient and comfortable. The driver can adjust the steering column and seats. The latter received denser mats and lateral support. There are about 20 buttons on the center console. They are all located in a prominent place and are easy to use.
Wi-Fi access points and connections to social networks were installed in the cabin. Also, there is a technology of wireless communication with neighbors. And yet, you can pay for fuel by bank transfer.
In general, the salon received a concise and discreet design. Finishing materials raise no objections. Climate control is fashionable to control directly from its grilles. By clicking on them, you get either a diffuse stream or a direct one.
The infotainment screen is 11 millimeters thick. Its expansion is 800 by 480, and the processor power is 1.2 GHz. Through it, you can not only drive a car, but also contact official service stations.
Plastic and leather in the cabin are combined with each other just fine. Therefore, the model will appeal to any person, regardless of gender and age. Finishing materials are painted exclusively with artificial paints. They endure heat treatment at temperatures up to 120 degrees. At the factory in Germany, the Audi A3 is checked with a special LED lamp. It changes color under the influence of various irritants and indicates the quality of the finish.
The automatic parking system can park the car both transversely and parallel. Special programs help you to follow the road markings. They monitor the condition of the driver. This increases your security. If there is a risk of collision, then the electronics itself slows down. First, the brakes act at 35%, and then at 60%.
The center console and doors are decorated with inserts imitating glass. It is made of foil and liquid plastic.
The SKD assembly in Kaluga of the A6 sedans (costs in Russia from 2,600,000 rubles) and A8 (from 5,745,000 rubles) has been curtailed, a top manager of one of the dealer companies told Vedomosti, the production of the Audi Q7 crossover (from 3,750,000 rub.) continues. The current production plan (approved twice a year) of the Kaluga car plant VW provides for the assembly of only one Audi model - Q7, said a person close to the car plant. “We are quickly adapting SKD production (from SKD, semiknoked down - semi-disassembled; SKD - Vedomosti) to the current market needs. The Kaluga plant is currently producing the Q7 model, the brand’s bestseller in Russia, using the SKD method,” an Audi representative confirmed, but the A6 and A8 models produced in Kaluga in 2016 can still be ordered in Russia.
In Kaluga, in addition to Audi, a SKD assembly of the VW Touareg crossover (single-platform with Q7) and LCV of the same brand is also carried out, the dealer knows. Their production will continue in the first half of the year, says a person close to the car factory. The crossover segment is the second largest in Russia after the B-segment, according to Avtostat.
Mercedes-Benz at the entrance
The BMW model range, which is produced at Avtotor, has not been reduced, but the company has suspended the import of six niche models due to the requirement for their certification under Era-Glonass. Mercedes-Benz cars are not yet produced in Russia - the construction of a plant in the Moscow region may begin in 2018, it is planned to sign a special investment contract with the company, said Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov (Interfax quote). The annual production will be 25,000-30,000 cars.
The main reason for the reduction in the range of Audi cars assembled in Kaluga is low demand in the Russian market, including due to the devaluation of the ruble, explains a person close to the car factory: Audi has a small localization, it is often more profitable to import them. In 2016, according to the Association of European Businesses (AEB), Audi sales in Russia fell to 20,705 units, or 19.3%, while the entire passenger car and LCV market fell by 11%. VW announced that it had stopped deliveries to Russia of six Audi models, including the A8: investments in the certification of models under Era-Glonass, which became mandatory from January 1, 2017, turned out to be too large. According to the dealer, in 2018 a new A8 is expected in Russia, already with the Era-Glonass system, apparently, the company decided not to spend money on certification of the current model.
In order to keep sales of the Audi brand intact, the German automaker last year brought in an additional number of cars of some models, including the A8.
The cessation of assembly of the A6 and A8 in Kaluga will not affect the sales of the brand in Russia, the dealer believes: the price of locally assembled and imported cars of these models is the same, moreover, the stocks formed from the cars previously produced in Kaluga are enough for sales during the year.
The main specialization of the VW group car plant in Kaluga is the production of cars using full cycle technology. Two VW models are produced in this way - the Polo sedan and the Tiguan crossover, as well as the Skoda Rapid liftback. Due to reduced demand (total sales of the VW Group in 2016 in Russia fell, according to the AEB, to 156,712 units, or 4.9%), the plant with a capacity of 225,000 vehicles per year is less than half loaded. In 2016, 110,000 cars were produced here, Interfax reported on Friday, citing company data. But compared to 2015, the output increased by 13%. Export orders helped, a person close to the car plant comments: in 2016, bodies were made for deliveries to Germany, as well as ready-made Polo cars for Mexico. In addition, mass production of the new Tiguan started in Kaluga in autumn. Investments in the project amounted to 180 million euros, the company said.
