What’s Happening
In an unprecedented move, Audi is unveiling the biggest model initiative in the company’s history. This initiative commences with the production of the new Audi Q6 e-tron series, which is the first fully electric model series to be manufactured at the Ingolstadt location. The Premium Platform Electric (PPE) forms the basis for this ground-breaking series.
Why It Matters
Xavier Ros, Chief Human Resources Officer at Audi, highlights the significance of this development. Audi’s shift to electric mobility doesn’t only signal a step towards sustainable transportation but is also expected to create 500 new jobs dedicated to the production of the Q6 e-tron. The inclusion of temporary Ingolstadt-based employees in the application process demonstrates Audi’s commitment to strengthening job security at their German locations during this transition period.
Key Points
As part of its evolution towards e-mobility, Audi is actively retraining its workforce. Over the past 18 months, approximately 8,300 employees in production, technical development, and sales have received qualifications ahead of the Q6 e-tron series launch. Furthermore, Audi has invested around 150 million euros in employee training and development in 2022 alone. This effort extends to Audi Hungaria in Győr, where the electric drivetrain for the Q6 e-tron is manufactured, and about 2,000 employees have been trained in electrification since 2022.
In a first for any Audi site in Germany, the production of the Q6 e-tron series will incorporate its own battery assembly facility at the Ingolstadt headquarters. Gerd Walker, Chief Production Officer at Audi, says that this step represents a significant shift towards e-mobility, providing 300 future-proof jobs at the Ingolstadt site and generating valuable knowledge for electric vehicle production at all Audi factories.
Bottom Line
Through the Vorsprung 2030 corporate strategy, Audi has set a goal to phase out combustion engines and convert all their production sites to electric vehicle manufacturing by the end of the decade. Audi’s 360factory strategy, aimed at optimizing production processes, leveraging digitalization, ensuring supply chain resilience, and achieving sustainability goals, will be key to this transformation. As a part of this commitment, Audi is setting up its own battery module production facility in Ingolstadt and seeking professionals with metalworking or electrical training for these new roles.
To add to its robust digitalization strategy, Audi is on the hunt for software experts to enhance the digitalization of its models. The first round of interviews for these new roles is scheduled for July 21, 2023, at Audi’s Ingolstadt facility. The selection process will continue, with further dates and details available online.
