Audi begins production of electric motors at Hungarian plant

Audi has commenced manufacture of electric motors for its Premium Platform Electric (PPE) in the Hungarian city of Gyor. The newly developed electric motors will be used for the first time in the Audi Q6 e-tron series.

Production of the first fully electric Audi model is scheduled to start at the Ingolstadt headquarters at the end of the year with the PPE-based model. Among other provisions, the company has set up its own battery assembly facility in Ingolstadt in preparation for this step. In Győr, Hungary, Audi Hungaria produces stators and transmission components in a completely new 15,000-square-metre production area, where the axles for the PPE are also assembled. Product testing also takes place in Győr.

“Győr is predestined for the production of these highly compact and efficient electric motors for the PPE,” said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. “The highly qualified team at the site has already built over 400,000 electric drive systems since 2018, which is invaluable experience.”

Audi Q6 e-tron prototype.

In addition to the electric motors for the PPE that power the Audi Q6 e-tron series, Győr also builds the drive system for the Audi Q8 e-tron. Furthermore, an additional production area is being set up for electric motors that will be used in vehicles based on the MEBeco (modular electric drive toolkit) in the Volkswagen Group.

THREE NEW LINES INSTALLED FOR E-MOTOR PRODUCTION

To produce the electric motors for the PPE, Audi has installed three new lines. The production line for stators has 28 work steps, the one for transmission components has 15. One axle alone requires 190 individual steps to assemble. Around 700 employees are involved in production. In terms of series production, the employees in Győr work in three shifts to build up to 2,000 electric motors per day for the PPE. The site supplies both Audi and Porsche. Compared to the previous electric motor assembly facility, the vertical range of production has been increased once again. “The start of production in Győr marks an important milestone in the ramp-up of production of the Audi Q6 e-tron,” said Audi Board Member for Production and Logistics Gerd Walker.

Audi Production is using the transition to e-mobility to comprehensively transform its global production network and has a clear vision for the Manufacturing of the future with the 360factory. As part of this holistic, sustainable approach, Audi is modernizing, digitalizing, and transforming its existing plants. Production in Győr has been net carbon neutral since 2020; the site has Europe’s largest roof-mounted photovoltaic system and is Hungary's biggest industrial geothermal energy consumer. To make transporting the electric motors for the PPE from Győr to Ingolstadt net carbon neutral, Audi relies on the transport and logistics company DB Cargo.

GYOR: A 30-YEAR SUCCESS STORY

The same year that production is launched for the PPE, Audi Hungaria is looking back on a 30-year success story. Since its establishment, the company has grown to become the world’s largest powertrain plant and the first manufacturer in Hungary to produce premium cars.

With production of the CUPRA Terramar set to take place there, Győr will further increase synergies in the global production network. Technical Development provides product development for Audi and the Volkswagen Group. In addition to production, the company draws on the extensive know-how of its employees to provide a wide range of services to other Group brands.

In order to expand the exclusive series production of body components for the Progressive brand group with Audi, Lamborghini, and Bentley, Audi Hungaria expanded its toolmaking facility just last year. Complex body components such as rear and front hatches, doors, fenders, roofs, and side panel frames are made here – mainly from aluminIum.

Audi Hungaria has invested around 12 billion euros since its foundation. This makes the site one of the largest investors in Hungarian industry. Audi Hungaria currently employs approximately 12,000 people.