Audi invests 7.3 billion euros until 2012

Audi AG has presented the brand’s plans of investment until 2012. The make will be investing 7.3 billion euros in new models and forward-looking technology and above all in its future.

The great majority of this investment, 5.9 billion euros, approximately 80% of the total, will go into the development of new products further optimization of conventional drivelines and the development of electric and hybrid models. The German brand is willing to enlarge its product portfolio from 34 to 42 models until 2015.

In 2010 Audi will be launching a series of models which include the A1, A7, A8 and R8 Spyder models, which will become part of the brand’s portfolio. At the end of the year Audi will unveil the Audi Q5 Hybrid, which will reach the market at the start of 2011 as the brand’s first full hybrid model.

During this period approximately 3.8 billion will be invested in the Audi plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm as part of the firm’s commitment to its German facilities. “Audi is facing the technological upheaval in the automobile world in a farsighted way. The will to work and high qualifications of employees at our German plants are a firm foundation for the necessary changes,” explains Peter Mosch, Chairman of the Audi General Works Council.

In Ingolstadt the investment will reach 2.5 billion euros and will be used in the new transmission and emissions center, the stamping tools for the new Audi A1 and finally in the manufacturing structures for the A3 and A4 models. As for the Neckarsulm plant, the investment of 1.3 billion euros will be on the A6, A7 und A8 models and new engine-function test rigs.