With the new A5 and Q5 series built on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), Audi has launched its first combustion engines with the new MHEV plus technology. With its unique interplay between the powertrain generator (PTG), belt alternator starter (BAS), and a lithium iron phosphate battery, the 48-volt mild hybrid system supports the combustion engine, reduces carbon emissions, and simultaneously increases performance and agility. The PTG, which can be fully coupled or decoupled, features integrated power electronics and an electric motor that enables partially electric driving. This reduces consumption and makes for an even smoother driving experience.

 

“With the new MHEV plus technology, we are driving forward electrification in our new combustion-engine vehicles based on the Premium Platform Combustion that is tailored to the needs of our customers,” says Geoffrey Bouquot, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG. “This will strengthen our product portfolio of all-electric models, plug-in hybrids, and vehicles with efficient combustion engines.” MHEV plus offers attractive functions such as partially electric driving, electric boosting, and a significant increase in efficiency and comfort. The mild hybrid system in the new Audi A5 and Q5 consists of three main components: the compactly designed new powertrain generator (PTG) with integrated power electronics and a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM), a 48-volt battery, and the belt alternator starter (BAS). The components of the 48-volt system are liquid-cooled to achieve optimum operating conditions. The architecture of the MHEV plus system can be integrated into various models with front and quattro drivetrains based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). Situation-specific liquid cooling of the power electronics and the electric motor enables the components to be operated in optimum operating conditions in order to meet power and torque demands in all operating states. The new MHEV plus technology enables purely electric operating states and can also support the combustion engine. The system thereby increases performance and agility while also reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

For example, in the A5 2.0 TDI (150 kW front/quattro) (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.7–4.8; combined CO2-emissions in g/km: 150–125; CO2 class: E–D), up to 10 g/km or 0.38 l/100 km can be saved, and in a 3.0 TFSI with V6 engine (270 kW quattro) (fuel consumption combined in l/100 km: 8. 0–7.4; combined fuel consumption; 182–169 (g/km) combined CO2 emissions; CO2 class: G–F), up to 17 g/km or 0.74 l/100 km (according to the WLTP) savings are possible.

Powertrain generator as an additional powerful drive module

Another major advantage is that the MHEV plus system improves performance and driving comfort. The compact yet powerful electric drive module in the new MHEV plus system is the powertrain generator (PTG). This component also represents the biggest difference to the MHEV technology previously offered by Audi, which works exclusively with a belt alternator starter. The PTG, which is installed in a compact unit with integrated power electronics directly on the output shaft of the transmission, can contribute up to 18 kW (24 PS) of electrical power to the drive. The module enables a maximum torque of 230 Nm at the transmission output, which is already available as drive torque when the vehicle is started. The PTG’s compact transmission operates with a ratio of 3.6:1. MHEV plus utilizes the PTG up to a maximum speed of 140 km/h for maximum efficiency. At higher vehicle speeds, the PTG disengages from the drivetrain via an integrated dog clutch.

The PTG weighs around 21 kilograms and enables a maximum of 5,550 revolutions per minute on the output shaft. Depending on the vehicle and drive variant, this corresponds to a speed of 130 to 140 km/h.

With minimal modifications to the surrounding parts and components, the required space was created to integrate an electric motor at the transmission output within the existing vehicle tunnel boundaries. The positioning directly behind the gearbox offers several advantages: the 18 kW of drive power or up to 25 kW of power from regenerative braking supplied by the PTG is available directly at the axle output without any further losses. Thanks to this configuration, the PTG can be used in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles without any modifications and in a modular fashion.

To meet the high comfort requirements of the system, precise control of the torque, current, and speed of the electric motor must be ensured. The operating temperature range extends from minus 40 to plus 75 degrees Celsius. A water jacket surrounds the electric motor and also cools the compact and highly integrated power electronics in the common coolant circuit, which is mounted directly on the electric motor to save space. The high-performance power modules are arranged around the heat sink within the power electronics. The intermediate circuit capacitors are surrounded by the heat sink in a space-saving and thermally optimal way.

Development focused on customer requirements

Audi developed the MHEV plus technology with its sights set on anticipated customer requirements. The conventional drivetrains available with first-generation start-stop or mild hybridization rely on key efficiency components such as engine stop when the vehicle is at a standstill, coasting, freewheeling with the engine off, and 12-volt or 48-volt energy recovery. The main advantages of the increased degree of electrification with the new technology include the added convenience of start-stop operation, emission-free coasting, energy recovery, partially electric driving, for example for electric parking and maneuvering, and increased performance thanks to the electric support of the combustion engine.

This enables the vehicle to be driven purely electrically, leaving the combustion engine switched off for longer, for example when driving slowly in the city, or when traffic is moving slowly on roads outside of the city, or when approaching the next town. Moreover, the vehicle’s start-up response is significantly improved and more spontaneous because the PTG delivers drive torque of up to 230 Nm even at low speeds. This results in noticeably better responsiveness, which translates to a clearly recognizable gain in agility, especially during the first few meters when setting off.

At speeds between 0 and a maximum of 140 km/h, the PTG can support the combustion engine. This means that MHEV plus offers an additional electrical output of up to 18 kW, allowing the combustion engine to operate as efficiently as possible. In this speed range, the PTG can recover up to 25 kW of energy through regenerative braking until shortly before the vehicle comes to a standstill. The integrated blending-capable brake control system ensures pressure-free braking and optimal regenerative braking, usually without using the friction brakes. Thanks to the electric air-conditioning compressor, MHEV plus also enables continuous operation of the air-conditioning system even when the combustion engine is switched off, such as when waiting at a red light.

BAS, lithium-ion battery, and iBRS: an ideal combination

As part of the MHEV plus technology, the belt alternator starter (BAS) is tasked with starting the engine and delivering electrical energy to the battery. The belt drive has acoustic advantages over a pinion starter and achieves a higher starting speed for the combustion engine. This results in better consumption and greater starting comfort. The belt alternator starter can also recover the engine’s energy when it is switched off and places the cylinders in the optimum position for restarting.

The lithium-ion battery made with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) has a storage capacity of 37 ampere hours, which corresponds to just under 1.7 kWh (gross). Its maximum discharge power is 24 kW. Due to the requirements for availability, power, and torque, the battery is integrated into a low-temperature water-cooling circuit that ensures optimum conditions in the range of 25 to 60 degrees Celsius. This is the first time that Audi is using an LFP battery for its mild hybrid systems.

The integrated brake control system (iBRS) plays an important role in energy recovery. In models with MHEV plus technology, iBRS ensures pressure-free braking and achieves the necessary deceleration through regenerative braking without the use of the mechanical wheel brake. The mechanical brakes are only applied when the brake pedal is depressed more forcefully. This has no effect on the braking feel.

Sophisticated MHEV plus operating strategy

In a hybrid system, the rule of thumb is that a battery charged from 50 to 60 percent works most efficiently, as it can deliver high currents to the electric motor and store high charging currents during energy recovery. The focus of the hybrid system is not on the electric range, but on discharging and recharging the battery in rapid cycles. This enables as much energy as possible to be recovered and quickly reused efficiently for the drive.

With MHEV plus technology, a control software evaluates the operating state of the vehicle for the optimal interaction between the combustion engine, PTG, and BAS. Characteristic values for the optimal use of the two electric motors and desired levels of torque for propulsion or energy recovery are stored for this purpose. The battery charge state is also taken into consideration. The goal is stable operation – and the control system achieves different results depending on the situation. This is because the operating strategy of the additional electric drives is optimized for each combustion engine. The result is the lowest possible consumption without compromising driving dynamics.

The operating strategy takes into account the selected transmission mode and the modulation of the accelerator pedal. For example, in driving mode D, the full additional electric power of maximum 18 kW is only applied by the powertrain generator starting at approximately 80 percent accelerator pedal or kickdown. In driving mode S, the 18 kW of additional power is already available at lower accelerator pedal values. In D, the PTG can be decoupled starting at 85 km/h to prevent electrical losses in the PTG’s electric motor when driving at a constant speed with the combustion engine on highways and roads outside city limits. In S, however, the PTG remains coupled up to its maximum permissible engine speed of 5,550 rpm to enable spontaneous responsiveness at any time.

With regard to driving modes D and S, the operating strategy differentiates particularly when it comes to the target SoC (state of charge) of the 48-volt battery. In D, an average SoC of 50 to 55 percent provides the optimal balance for having enough energy available for the electric support of the combustion engine right through to partially electric driving. This SoC is also sufficient to store the high volumes of recovered energy that come from gentle and longer braking phases at traffic lights or when entering towns. In S, a higher target SoC of around 70 percent ensures a higher amount of available energy for the electric support of the combustion engine for more sporty driving. As you would expect, sporty driving involves shorter and more intense braking phases, meaning that there is less energy to recover.

The use of the powertrain generator also offers advantages in terms of driving dynamics, as the additional and immediately available torque means that the vehicle can react more spontaneously to load changes and accelerate more agilely out of corners. The type of load change is also modulated differently in D and S modes to enable more comfortable handling in D and more responsive, dynamic handling in S.

Models with MHEV plus can also run purely electrically, for example when the vehicle is approaching a town, and can then maintain its speed with the help of the PTG. If the power required by the driver or the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) exceeds a certain value, the combustion engine starts up and takes over propulsion. The start-up threshold depends on the current SoC of the 48-volt battery and the speed of the vehicle.

If the current SoC is below the target SoC, the combustion engine switches on sooner. On the one hand, this is to avoid consuming additional energy for electric driving and thus lower the SoC even further. On the other hand, the combustion engine can increase the SoC again as needed by means of increased power in conjunction with the BAS and PTG – in other words, recharge the battery. This does not apply to electrically powered maneuvering, creeping along in slow-moving traffic, or parking, which can be maintained at a significantly lower state of charge.

If the current SoC is above the target SoC, the combustion engine switches on later – when there is a slightly higher demand for power. By doing so, the 48-volt battery discharges towards the target SoC so that it can absorb enough energy during future energy-recovery phases. As vehicle speed increases, the threshold for requesting power from the combustion engine is reduced. In simple terms, this means that the higher the speed, the more the combustion engine powers the car.

In combination with whatever is in the tank, the efficiency gains from the powertrain noticeably improve the vehicle’s overall range. This makes vehicles equipped with MHEV plus technology considerably more suitable for long-distance travel and makes those journeys much more comfortable.

This technology will not be offered in the US market due to differing customer needs.

 

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

At this year’s world cup weekend in Kitzbühel, Austria, Audi is unveiling a highly emotive Q6. The Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept, a newly developed prototype, features two electric motors with a combined power output of 380 kW and can climb gradients of up to 100 percent thanks to its newly designed portal axles.

 

The debuting Q6 gives a taste of a potential vehicle in the progressive off-road segment. An increase of 160 mm (6.3 in) in ride height and 250 mm (9.8 in) wider track contribute to its spectacular appearance.

Following a first test drive, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner enthused: “The Q6 e-tron offroad concept is a reinterpretation of quattro. The model shows the potential that our platform for all electric vehicles already has today. This vehicle can claim new ground. We look forward to seeing our customers’ reactions to this highly emotive car.”

While conventional portal axles enable an increase in torque of around 20 to 30 percent at the wheels, the new design from Audi increases torque at the wheel by 50 percent. This lowers the vehicle’s top speed to 175 km/h (108 mph) – adequate for an off-roader – but enables it to climb gradients up to 45 degrees.

Innovations always begin with asking the right question. For the Q6 it was: How can we create a highly emotive electric vehicle? The car spawned by this question boasts four portal axles that were developed from scratch and are integrated into the wheel hub assemblies at the front and rear axles. This necessitated partial changes to the suspension links. The portal axles increase the combined torque at all wheels (10-second peak) to 13,400 Nm (9,883 lb ft), a total increase of 4,400 Nm (3,245 lb ft). That is the way to experience Vorsprung durch Technik – both on and off the road.

The Audi Q6 e-tron serves as the basis for the concept car and is the first production model built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). It is the new reference point for electrically driven Vorsprung durch Technik. The Audi Q6 model series not only excels with impressive driving and charging performance but also sets standards in range and efficiency.

The Q6 e-tron offroad concept can be seen in action on February 1, 2025, at the F.A.T. Ice Race and on the social media channels of @Audi Sport.

 

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi delivered around 1.7 million vehicles worldwide in 2024. More than 164,000 of those were fully electric models. Reasons for this overall decline of almost 12 percent (8 percent for fully electric models) compared to the previous year included the challenging economic conditions, an intensely competitive market, and limited availability of parts. In addition, the new product portfolio is only gradually having an impact on global sales volumes.

 

“We have a clear vision of how we are redefining Vorsprung durch Technik. Our ongoing model initiative shows the direction Audi is taking. The year 2024 was part of a transitional phase as we move towards our new product portfolio,” says Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. “Global economic uncertainties and intensified competition also shaped the past year. Despite these challenges, we are convinced that we will achieve our long-term goals. With a clear product and technology road map, Audi is systematically rejuvenating its product portfolio with over 20 new models in 2024 and 2025.” Last year, Audi already presented more than half of these, including the new battery-electric vehicles Audi Q6 e-tron and Audi A6 e-tron, plus combustion-engine vehicles such as the Audi A5 and Audi Q5. “In 2025, we will continue our model initiative and renew key model families such as the Audi A7 and the Audi Q3. Customers can look forward to numerous new plug-in hybrids as well.”

After a record year in 2023, geopolitical and industrial conditions impacted delivery figures in 2024. A general economic environment characterized by stagnation and structural problems as well as a tense political situation posed major challenges for the entire automotive industry and influenced consumer behavior on an international scale.

“From the beginning, 2024 was considered a transitional year. We have strong models entering the markets, but they will only gradually become significant in terms of sales volume. At the same time, some models have been phased out. Challenging economic conditions and the intransparency in terms of government incentive structures are currently causing a certain reluctance to buy affecting the entire industry, especially when it comes to fully electric vehicles,” says Marco Schubert, Board Member for Sales and Marketing.

“With our three-pronged approach of electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and combustion-engine vehicles, we are positioned flexibly and robustly for the coming years and offer our customers a diverse range of premium vehicles. With our clear strategy and the strong commitment of our retail partners and international teams, we are setting ourselves up for the future.”

 

Sales performance in Europe, North America, and China

Audi delivered more than 164,000 fully electric models to customers worldwide (–8 percent) in 2024. Demand was notably strong for the Audi Q4 e-tron, with almost 108,000 units delivered globally. Since its market launch in the third quarter, the new Audi Q6 e-tron recorded almost 15,000 deliveries.

In addition to the all-electric models, the Audi Q5 (298,000 units), the Audi A6 (244,000 units), and the Audi Q3 (215,000 units) sold particularly well.

Audi Sport delivered more than 41,000 high-performance vehicles worldwide, a decrease of roughly 14 percent. In the USA, Audi Sport models recorded over 9,000 deliveries – their best result ever (+4 percent).

With around 466,000 vehicles, the number of deliveries in Europe (excluding Germany) was almost 6 percent below the previous year. The number of electric vehicles was just below 81,000 units (+6 percent). The most popular models in Europe were the Audi A3 (84,000 units), Audi Q3 (79,000 units), and Audi Q4 e-tron (57,000 units).

In Germany, Audi delivered over 198,000 cars (–21 percent). This figure includes roughly 22,000 fully electric vehicles (–33 percent).

In the UK, the number of deliveries was around 123,000 units (–11 percent), in France around 48,000 units (–3 percent). For electrically powered models, Audi recorded an increase of 24 percent in France compared to 2023. Audi also showed a solid result in Italy, delivering more than 67,000 units (+1 percent), including roughly 3,000 electric vehicles (+7 percent). In Spain (incl. Canary Islands), Audi delivered over 39,000 units (–4 percent) to customers.

In North America, Audi sold just below 241,000 vehicles (–13 percent) in 2024 – almost 29,000 of those were fully electric (–6 percent).

In the intensely competitive market of China, Audi delivered a total of more than 649,000 cars to customers. This represents a decline of around 11 percent compared to the previous year.

In the overseas and emerging markets, Audi delivered over 116,000 vehicles (–18 percent) in 2024.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi Tradition will be attending numerous events again this year and celebrating many anniversaries. It has been 60 years since the Audi brand name was reintroduced. In 1965, the company “with the four rings,” then still called Auto Union GmbH, ended its two-stroke era, introduced a new model with a four-cylinder four-stroke engine, and named it – Audi. This first post–World War II Audi can be viewed along with other vehicles from the historical AUDI AG collection, for example, on International Museum Day on May 18, in Ingolstadt. What’s more, this year, the Audi museum mobile is celebrating its very own anniversary on Museum Day: its 25th birthday.

 

The annual program gets underway with the Bremen Classic Motorshow (January 31–February 2). There, Audi Tradition will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Audi A2 and will show a polished aluminum version of the model to mark the occasion. Audi Tradition will also be on hand to answer questions at the Volkswagen Group’s joint stand in Hall 5 for visitors interested in the range of spare parts. On the same weekend, two-time German rally champion Harald Demuth will pilot a 1984 Audi Sport quattro Rallye at the FAT ICE RACE in Zell am See, Austria (February 1).A desert car on ice: Jutta Kleinschmidt, who in 2001 became the first and to date only woman to win the Dakar Rally, will drive the Audi RS Q e-tron, the car that won the 2024 Dakar, in Zell.Action on the ice continues three weeks later in St. Moritz at The I.C.E. concours d’elegance (February 21-22) where Tom Kristensen will present the Audi quattro Group S, built in 1986, on the frozen Lake St. Moritz. Development work began as early as 1985 on this special rally car, featuring a tubular space frame, plastic bodywork, and four-valve turbocharged engine with a mid-engine layout. It was intended for use in the Group S category of rallying planned from 1987 onwards, but it was ultimately not used.

The Festival of Speed in Goodwood (July 10–13) attracts motorsport fans from around the world. Audi Tradition will be there to celebrate the first Audi victory at Le Mans 25 years ago – together with Le Mans legends Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo “Dindo” Capello. At the Goodwood Hillclimb, the Auto Union Type 52 driven by Hans-Joachim Stuck, will also be on the starting line along with the Le Mans race cars. Two weeks after Goodwood, Audi Tradition will take part in another festival: the Eifel Rallye Festival (July 24–26) in Daun. Audi Tradition will also be polishing up vehicles from its historical collection in preparation for classic car rallies, for example the Heidelberg Historic (July 4–5), the Donau Classic (July 18–19), and the Sachsen Classic (August 14–16).

As is tradition, the Audi museum mobile will participate in International Museum Day (May 18) and the Night of the Museums (September 13). Finally, model car markets at the Audi Forum in Neckarsulm (November 9) and Ingolstadt (November 30) are on the event calendar for the latter part of the year.

The dates and latest details for all the events at which Audi Tradition will participate with historic motorcycles or cars and all the events and exhibitions involving the Audi museum mobile can be found on the Audi website and in the Audi Tradition app. The app can be downloaded free of charge from all major app stores for iOS and Android smartphones.

 

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi FAW NEV Company, a cooperation project between Audi and long-standing partner FAW, has commenced production of all-electric Audi models. The company and its new state-of-the-art plant form a key component of the strategy Audi has adopted for the Chinese market. The new production site in Changchun is the first in China to exclusively produce fully electric Audi models based on the PPE platform, beginning with the Q6L e-tron family, followed by a market-specific version of the Audi A6 e-tron.

 

Production for the first of fully electric Audi models based on the PPE platform (Premium Platform Electric) has started in China. The PPE is the next-generation platform for all-electric vehicles from Audi that set standards in terms of performance, range, charging, and driving dynamics. Audi FAW NEV Company manufactures mid-sized and full-sized PPE vehicles, starting with the Audi Q6L e-tron and the Audi Q6L Sportback e-tron. A China-specific variant of the Audi A6 e-tron is set to follow. “With the start of production at Audi FAW NEV Company, we are upholding our commitment to the Chinese market and taking a significant step forward in our electrification strategy,” says Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG: “The models produced here will play a crucial role in our local portfolio and strengthen our position in this key market.”

With the new plant, Audi is expanding its model portfolio for China

The Audi Q6L e-tron is the first electric vehicle based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) produced in China. It differs from the international model not only in its traditionally longer wheelbase, but also through numerous design features and innovations for the Chinese market. For example, the interior of the Q6L e-tron impresses with a digital experience also developed specifically for China. Its sister model, the Audi Q6L Sportback e-tron, combines the strengths of the SUV model with a sporty coupé-like silhouette.

“Localized production of market-specific models has always been key to our success in China, and it is essential for the future of Audi to be close to customers,” says Gerd Walker, Member of the Board of Management for Production and Logistics at AUDI AG.

Audi is therefore focusing even more strongly on market-oriented production in the three core regions of Europe, North America, and China. Walker stresses: “With its state-of-the-art, fully integrated, and eco-friendly production, the plant is setting new standards across the Audi production network.”

Set up in partnership with Audi’s long-standing partner FAW, Audi FAW NEV Company’s plant in Changchun – FAW’s traditional home – will create around 3,000 new jobs in the future. With a planned annual production capacity of over 150,000 vehicles, the new site is making a key contribution to the electrification of the Audi product portfolio in China. The plant incorporates the entire value chain of automotive production and is equipped with a press shop, body shop, paint shop, and vehicle assembly. Production of the high-voltage batteries for the China-specific PPE models takes place at the plant’s battery assembly facility.

Innovative construction and production technologies

Construction of the production site started in mid-2022, and Audi FAW NEV Company utilized digital technology to design and build the plant from the very beginning. Digital twinning allowed experts to create a highly efficient and flexible production system that is fully digitalized and automated. A 3D structure of the plant’s buildings based on BIM (building information modelling) was set up first, with real-time updates of the digital model continually keeping pace with real-world construction progress.

At the new plant site, Audi is also deploying an integrated IT solution in the Chinese market for the first time. With industry-leading digital manufacturing processes, it facilitates the realization of intelligent and efficient production. All maintenance, logistics, and manufacturing processes across the plant are networked with each other via only one single IT architecture. In a first for Volkswagen Group outside Europe, a highly integrated Group solution using SAP S/4HANA is being rolled out. Using the cloud-based system, data is stored and shared throughout the plant.

Helmut Stettner, CEO of Audi FAW NEV Company, emphasizes the benefits of the high-tech approach taken in Changchun: “Technology helps amplify the synergies between the teams from Germany and China. It also enables us to be fast and highly efficient and speed up processes – both during construction and in day-to day-operation. We create an ideal synergy between our highly skilled workforce and cutting-edge technology at the site.” 

Plant-wide automation and enhanced use of robotics

With more than 800 robots enhancing precision and efficiency, the automation rate in the body shop will reach the highest levels in the industry in China. Visual recognition technology ensures quality control, while a partially automated crane in the press shop streamlines operations.

A driverless transportation system and an automatic warehouse guarantee automated and reliable logistics. The warehouse stands 24 meters tall and features fully automated storage, warehousing, and retrieval. Furthermore, Audi is developing new automation technologies at its new plant, like the potential use of humanoid robots in car production.

Audi FAW NEV Company has therefore announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics and UBTECH ROBOTICS to explore the next step in this technology.

Sustainability at the forefront

Audi FAW NEV Company is committed to sustainability, implementing “Mission:Zero,” the global environmental program for all Audi production sites. Production at the plant is planned to be net carbon-neutral1 from the beginning. To this end, the facility exclusively utilizes green energy. Its heating needs are met using thermal energy and gas obtained from biomass. Solar panels with 320,000 square meters of surface area installed on the roofs of various buildings fulfil a significant portion of the plant’s energy needs. An independent certification for net carbon neutrality1 is planned for 2025.

The plant recycles production waste and treats wastewater in a closed loop. The latter also includes rainwater collection and reverse osmosis. Implementation of a closed material loop for aluminum offcuts in the press shop as well as a particularly efficient and environmentally friendly paint shop are further highlights.

Biodiversity is another focus at the new production site. Audi FAW NEV Company has carried out landscaping based on the original topography of the area, with many local plant species being planted. A huge area is set aside for the planting of various flowering plants and trees, while another part of the site has been transformed into wetland. Additionally, workers have set up artificial bird nests and insect hotels. Ten beehives on the plant’s grounds are already home to a total of around 500,000 bees. Furthermore, road lighting at the facility is designed to not irritate local fauna.

Future ecosystem and supplier park

In addition to forging a complete talent training system, Audi FAW NEV Company will also facilitate the upgrade of the entire supply chain around the plant. To ensure that the large-scale production of complete vehicles and parts runs smoothly, around 50 percent of suppliers are projected to be within a radius of 30 kilometers of the Changchun site. The local government has also set up an exclusive business park for Audi FAW NEV Company suppliers with a view to attracting more business. The fact that Audi FAW NEV Company is projected to achieve a localization rate of around 90 percent is proof of the effectiveness of the “in China, for China” strategy.

Electrification strategy for China

The start of production at Audi FAW NEV Company is a key step in the further success of the electrification strategy Audi is utilizing in China. In close collaboration with its two partners, the local automobile manufacturers FAW and SAIC, Audi will offer a comprehensive portfolio of vehicles tailored specifically for the Chinese market. Auto Guangzhou 2024 in November of this year showed its newest additions. The premieres of new models highlighted the focus on electrification and digitalization, key pillars of the company’s strategy for China.

1Audi understands net-zero CO2 emissions to mean a situation in which, after other possible reduction measures have been exhausted, the company offsets the carbon emitted by Audi’s products or activities and/or the carbon emissions that currently cannot be avoided in the supply chain, manufacturing, and recycling of Audi vehicles through voluntary offsetting projects carried out worldwide. In this context, carbon emissions generated during a vehicle’s utilization stage, i.e. from the moment it is delivered to the customer, are not taken into account.

 

Articles source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

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