Month: November 2017

More than 41,000 readers and online users of AUTO ZEITUNG voted for their favorites in the 30^th “Auto Trophy” poll. The Audi Q2 won through in the category “Best SUV up to €25,000” against 22 other competitors. 16.6 percent of participants chose the compact all-rounder. The Audi Q7 picked up 16.1 percent of the votes in the “Best luxury SUV” category, leading the pack of 13 fellow competitors by a significant margin. A total of 260 models in 15 categories were in the running for the “Auto Trophy 2017” awards.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler accepted the prize from Volker Koerdt, Editor-in-Chief of AUTO ZEITUNG. “Both of these awards affirm the enormous interest of our customers in SUV models – from the Audi Q2 with its youthful character to the Audi Q7 with its luxury class comfort,” said Stadler. “By the middle of the next decade, roughly one of every two Audi vehicles we deliver will be an SUV.”

In addition, the brand with the four rings received the prize for the “Best design worldwide.” “At Audi the design always expresses Vorsprung durch Technik,” said Audi design chief Marc Lichte. “Progressive design is distinguished by the complete harmony of form and function – a perfect solution that impresses with its simplicity.”

“We have long been fighting for a job guarantee up until the end of 2025. Our colleagues need that certainty, and that is something we can now finally give them,” declared Peter Mosch at the start of the works meeting.

The General Works Council Chairman also emphasized the vital importance of these firm decisions by the Company in an age of ongoing digitalization and new drive technologies, in order to allay employees’ fears about the future. “That is why specifically the decision on the two new all-electric SUVs is another milestone on our road to a secure future,” added Mosch. The employee representatives took the decision as firm evidence that Audi will not merely rise to the challenges of digitalization and electric mobility, but will lead the way in those fields.

It is their belief that further investment by the Board of Management in future technologies, qualification programs, domestic locations and employment will take the Company in a very promising direction.

“It’s clear that the electrification of the site and the expected developments in the car market will continue to demand flexibility from the workforce, but equally clear that the Company needs to rise to the challenge to make this future employee-friendly. Come what may,” declared General Works Council Chairman Peter Mosch.  

The Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI, Rupert Stadler, views the Audi plan of attack as a clear commitment to the German sites and to maintaining their competitiveness. The plan of attack envisages 20 electrified models by 2025, of which more than ten will be automobiles with all-electric drive; this is earmarked as a core component of the “Audi. Future.” agreement. “Building up manufacturing capacity for electric cars in Germany is at the heart of this pact for the future, which we are currently negotiating. It demonstrates our clear commitment to the future of the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants.” And with an eye to the current challenges, Stadler added: “The transition to electric mobility and the general volatility of car markets demand immense flexibility from the Company and its workforce.”

Background information:
Works meetings are held four times a year at Audi and are fixed events in the annual timetable. The purpose of the meetings is to provide employees with comprehensive information on the activities of the Works Council and to give the workforce an insight into the situation of the Company.

Recognition for Frank Stippler: The Audi Sport campaigner was presented with a trophy on the occasion of the annual awards ceremony for the winners of the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring. The 42-year-old professional driver, one of the first contenders in a cockpit at Audi Sport customer racing, received the award for the best-placed SP9 GT3 campaigner of the series. In total, 878 drivers scored points this year in various classes in Germany’s most popular club sport racing series. 

Audi Sport customer racing

Christopher Haase drives Audi RS 5 Coupé: Christopher Haase is now on the road in an Audi RS 5 Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 8.7 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 197 g/km; efficiency class: E. Figures on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions and efficiency classes given in ranges depend on the tire/wheel set used). The Audi Sport driver received his new “company car” on November 21. Powered by 450 hp, the RS 5 Coupé accelerates in 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h and achieves a top speed of 250 km/h. The 30-year-old professional race driver won the Spa 24 Hours in the Audi R8 LMS for the first time this year and finished the Intercontinental GT Challenge as runner-up.

Dates for the next weeks

01–03/12 Thunderhill (USA), 25 Hours of Thunderhill

01–03/12 Fuji (J), round 2, Asian Le Mans Series

“The past few weeks were intensive and exciting for the whole squad,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. Our agenda included the meticulous preparation of the four race cars, computer simulations of diverse strategies and situations, fine-tuning of all processes and perfect preparation of the entire equipment, to name just a few items on the completed checklist. “Now, everyone is happy to finally be traveling to the race track and competing for points and trophies again.”

For the first time, a Formula E season will start with two races on one weekend, a so-called double header. On Saturday and Sunday, the fans will experience two near-identical event days with practice, qualifying and races. Including the additional points for pole position and the fastest race lap, a total of 58 points will be awarded. “We aim to be perfectly positioned from minute one and manage a good start of the new season,” says Lucas di Grassi. The champion is looking forward to Hong Kong: “The city is great and the fans enthusiastic – the whole event is a fantastic spectacle.”

The 1.860-kilometer race track is routed directly along the waterfront and past the famous Ferris wheel. The temporary circuit uses streets that are normally public and has a very long straight that offers a good overtaking opportunity. It is followed by a technically challenging section with many tight turns. The track surface poses an additional challenge, as it changes from tarmac to concrete. On Saturday, 43 and on Sunday, 45 laps will be driven.

Driver Daniel Abt can hardly wait for the start: “We’ve been working hard in recent weeks – during tests on the track, in the simulator and in our preparations with the engineers. Obviously, we’ll only know in Hong Kong where we stand compared with the competition. But we’ve done our homework.” While his teammate as the reigning champion will be entering the race in car number one, Abt will keep his proven number 66. Celebrating his 25th birthday on Sunday will be additional motivation for him to achieve a good result.

In Formula E’s Hong Kong debut last year, the German team experienced a chaotic race. Both Daniel Abt’s and Lucas di Grassi’s race cars were damaged as early as on lap one. While Abt had to park his car, di Grassi fought back from the end of the field to second place. His comeback drive was possible thanks to a bold strategy of his team and sophisticated energy management.

Both races in Hong Kong will start at 3 PM local time (8 AM CET). In Germany, Eurosport will start to air live coverage on both days at 7:45 AM. Internationally, about 70 channels will cover the Formula E races. A full list can be accessed on the internet at www.fiaformulae.com. Current information about Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler is available on Twitter at @audiformulae (Hashtags #e-tron #FormulaE #HKEPrix).

Dear Sir or Madam,

Quality is a core competence of the brand with the four rings, as the 2,800 employees of Audi Quality Assurance demonstrate anew each and every day.

Virtual and digital methods are facilitating the transition from pure component analysis to a holistic system view. As Audi evolves into a premium digital car company – the greatest transformation in the history of the company – the processes and methods employed at Quality Assurance are also undergoing a digital transformation.

Discover what this entails in the TechDay Quality press kit, where you will find a host of information on the topic of Premium Quality in the Digital Age.

www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/presskits/tech-day-quality-9470