Volkswagen AG : Site acquisition in Münchsmünster finalized: Audi expands production expertise further

The Audi site in Ingolstadt has been growing for years - but the space available is limited. In order to relieve the plant structurally, Audi has purchased a site measuring around 40 hectares at the Münchsmünster industrial park. The Ingolstadt carmaker will start by developing around 27 hectares of this. Alongside a press shop with transfer presses and production lines for form-hardened body parts and facilities for machining chassis components, an aluminum die-casting foundry will open there from 2013.

More and more different vehicle models are being produced at the Audi plant in Ingolstadt. Compared with 2005, when "just" the Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, Audi A3 and A3 Sportback were built there, the Audi A5 Coupé, A5 Sportback, Audi A4 allroad quattro and Audi Q5 have since been added to the production portfolio. The need for production and logistics space has thus risen tremendously - despite greater efficiency in manufacturing. Audi is therefore setting up a new production site in order to relieve the situation.

Münchsmünster industrial park is just the right place for this. Its close proximity to the Ingolstadt plant and the available infrastructure speak in its favor. "The strategic investment in Münchsmünster is part of our growth strategy. It allows us to free up capacity at existing plants and to use sites in the surrounding area for future technologies," says Audi Production Board Member Frank Dreves.

A building will be erected on the newly acquired site for machining chassis components. Audi is also expanding its expertise in this important field by setting up an aluminum die-casting foundry. "Die-cast components are a central element of our lightweight construction strategy. Having our own die-cast foundry will enable us to advance the necessary technology and guarantee the long-term supply of die-cast aluminum parts," explains Dreves. Audi is also planning the production of sheet-metal and thermoformed parts. The carmaker will continue to expand its production know-how in these areas. It will rely on pioneering technologies and processes which are notable for their high performance potential and resource conservation.

Development of the site will start in 2012. The first production areas are scheduled to commence operations in Münchsmünster in the second half of 2013.