Over Five Million Cars Produced At Audi's Pioneering Neckarsulm Plant
Published: 5th January 2003
Coinciding with this production milestone, Audi has introduced a revolutionary new manufacturing process in Neckarsulm, which enables customers to make last minute specification changes to their chosen, highly ‘bespoke’ vehicle as late as two days before it is due for completion. Four years in the making, this revolutionary new production system is unique to Audi.
This major advance is of particular benefit to customers ordering the all-new A8 saloon - a car that will be one of the most ‘bespoke’ in the world. The pioneering new process will also reduce production delays, allowing Audi Centres to quote more precise delivery lead times to customers.
Commenting on the implications of the new system for British customers, Director of Audi UK Kevin Rose, said: "We know a very high proportion of our A8 customers will want to equip their cars to their own individual, and almost certainly, unique specification. This advanced production planning system now makes meeting their requirements simpler, faster and more flexible."
The new production regime makes it is possible to maintain tighter control over vehicles on the production line than ever before.
The sequence of numbers allocated to cars during order scheduling is maintained systematically when directing cars through the plant, right up to the assembly stage. The completed vehicles leave the assembly lines in the same sequence that was scheduled at the beginning of the process chain - in other words, they are lined up and controlled like pearls on a string.
- Audi exceeds 200,000 vehicles built with all aluminium body shells
- Revolutionary new process introduced to ensure future production is more streamlined than ever before
- Two days notice from customers of final specification now possible for all new A8 due in the UK next Spring
