Audi also wants to reduce the complexity of its vehicles
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by Michael Gauthier
December 20, 2022 at 18:35
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by Michael Gauthier
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Last year, Audi announced plans to go electric-only as the company will exclusively launch electric vehicles starting in 2026. The automaker will then begin gradually phasing out ICE-powered vehicles with the goal of eliminating them by 2033.
While that’s widely known, Audi dropped a few hints about their electric lineup in a production-focused announcement. In particular, the automaker reiterated the Q6 e-tron will begin rolling off the assembly line in Ingolstadt next year. The company went on to say production of electric vehicles will then “gradually start in Neckarsulm, San José Chiapa, and Győr as well.” In 2029, all assembly plants will be producing at least one electric vehicle.
More interestingly, Audi seemed to hint at A4 and A5 e-trons. The company didn’t say much about them, but stated “the new Audi Q6 e-tron, for example, will initially be made in Ingolstadt on the same line as the Audi A4 and A5. The electric models will then gradually replace the combustion cars on the lines.”
Speaking of production, Audi wants to cut annual factory costs in half by 2033. As part of this effort, the company wants to reduce the complexity of its vehicles.
While this normally means offering less options and equipment combinations, Audi is aiming to eliminate complexity that “does not benefit the customer.” In order to do this, “vehicle development will take a streamlined production process into account from stage one.”
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The impacts remain to be seen, but other cost cutting moves are focused on digitalization. As the automaker explained, they want to use their Edge Cloud 4 Production solution, which uses locals servers, to replace “expensive industrial PCs, reducing IT efforts such as software rollouts and operating system changes.”
In the future, the company also aims to use virtual assembly planning and cycle-independent modular assembly to simplify work with high product variability.
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