Audi Hungary’s revenue, output down in H1

The companyʼs communication director told regional daily Kisalföld that the number of shifts at the plant in Győr would be reduced from three to two, temporarily, while preparations are made to switch over to production of the new Audi Q3 model. Some 750 of the plantʼs 4,000 workers will be offered temporary positions at Audiʼs operations abroad from the end of this year until serial production of the new model starts next year, said Peter Lore. 

Audi has invested €133 million at the plant in Győr this year – some €102 million less than last year, according to reports. The total value of investments since the company was established in 1993 was put at €8.140 bln.

In the first half of 2016, the company reportedly employed 11,370 people, 28 more than a year earlier. Audi says that the company and its suppliers provide around 30,000 jobs in the region.

A statement from Audi, attributed to managing director Peter Kossler, said it is one of the companyʼs strengths that it can flexibly respond to changes on the market. He noted that construction of the new car body plant has started in Győr, in a first step towards production of the new model, and Audiʼs tool factory will also be expanded, by 15,000 sqm.

The engines made in Győr are fitted into various models of Audi, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen, Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini at more than 30 manufacturing bases worldwide. In engine manufacturing, production of the newly developed V8 TDI engine started in the first half of this year, first fitted into the new SQ7 TDI model, the company said. The 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine has also been developed further, resulting in a capacity increase of 17% that helped the engine win the "International Engine of the Year" award for the seventh consecutive year, the company said.