Over a floor area of 400 square meters (4,305.6 sq ft), employees of the P-Control center monitor the production of the new Audi Q5 in three shifts. For the first time, this central control station combines five control consoles, which are often in separate places at other Audi production sites – at the logistics and maintenance control consoles, for instance. “The centralized P-control station is the most advanced in the Audi production network, symbolizing the Audi Smart Factory,” says Prof. Dr. Hubert Waltl, Board Member for Production at AUDI AG. “The combined layout of individual interfaces enables effective, direct communication between the different control centers. This enables us to detect the slightest of deviations early on, and we are able to react quickly.” Another example of how the premium manufacturer is driving digitalization and networking at its plants was said to be based in its cooperation among production sites. Our colleagues in Ingolstadt can even gain access to the control center of Audi México to offer technical support.
At the plant’s dedicated quality laboratory, employees in Mexico ensure that globally applicable quality standards are met for the new Audi Q5. “All parts undergo a broad array of tests at the laboratory in San José Chiapa. This lets us fulfill premium Audi standards worldwide,” says Alfons Dintner, Chief Executive Officer of Audi México. Employees use state-of-the-art equipment to test whether the metallic or nonmetallic materials conform to the desired properties. In the light studio, quality assurance experts examine interior parts for the new Audi Q5 under different lighting conditions, in a process known as “color matching.” Their objective is to ensure color appears perfectly consistent in different materials. Audi México also has three master jigs. This is where individual car parts are fine-tuned using state-of-the-art tactile and optical measuring equipment.
At the Audi Training Center, employees obtain the crucial qualifications for their job activities in the P-Control center and quality laboratory. The 20,000 square meter (215,278 sq ft) building for education and training is located right at the plant in San José Chiapa. All Audi México employees undergo specialized training here that is precisely tailored to their later work in the plant. The training center features the same highly advanced equipment that is used at the plant. “In cooperation with the Universidad Tecnológica de Puebla, we have created a facility where we can qualify our Mexican employees to the global Audi qualification level. This is how we are optimally preparing Audi México for the challenges of the future,” says Prof. h.c. Thomas Sigi, Board Member for Human Resources. Audi México currently has a local workforce of around 3,300 employees. This figure is expected to grow to a total of around 4,200.
Fuel consumption of the models named above:
Audi Q5:
This vehicle is not yet on sale. It does not yet have type approval and is therefore not subject to Directive 1999/94/EC.