Did you ever gaze at an Audi on the street and think about its creators?
Wonder no more!
Table of Contents
Who Makes Audi Cars? The Volkswagen Group
Discover who makes Audi cars, from designers to manufacturing plants, in this intriguing journey into an iconic brand.
Audi’s Past
Audi’s history takes us back to 1899 when August Horch founded ‘August Horch & Cie’ in Cologne, Germany. However, a dispute with the board led him to start a new company. His former company even sued him for using his name, pushing him to translate “Horch” to Latin, birthing ‘Audi’ in 1910. In 1932, Audi merged with three other car manufacturers, symbolized by the iconic interlocking rings in their logo.
While Audi faced financial struggles in the 1960s and 1970s and was eventually acquired by Volkswagen, they continued to innovate. They introduced the groundbreaking Quattro all-wheel drive system, transforming how cars can handle challenging terrain. This innovation was encapsulated in Audi’s advertising slogan, ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ (Advancement through Technology), which they adopted in 1971.
Today, Audi is renowned in the automotive industry for its commitment to technological advancement. Under the ownership of Volkswagen, Audi remains a symbol of cutting-edge engineering and performance, a legacy born from the determination and ingenuity of August Horch.
Who makes Audi cars presently?
Have you ever thought about the skilled individuals responsible for Audi’s exceptional craftsmanship?
It’s not attributed to a sole individual but rather a collaborative team of highly talented professionals. Let’s examine some intriguing insights from the inner workings of Audi!
Which corporation holds the majority stake in Audi?
As history recalls, the Volkswagen Group initially secured a share in Audi during the 1960s, with a precise 50% acquisition in 1964. This conglomerate encompasses brands like Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and others.
As of 2020, the Volkswagen Group has assumed complete ownership of the Audi brand. Sited in Wolfsburg, Germany, the Volkswagen Group underscores Audi’s German heritage; it is not of American origin, a common misconception.
Nevertheless, it’s vital to clarify that Volkswagen doesn’t manufacture Audi; instead, it’s under the auspices of the Volkswagen Group, which presides over multiple car enterprises.
Audi can be characterized as a premium label within the Volkswagen Group’s portfolio, offering a luxurious alternative to Volkswagen’s offerings.
Illustratively, a comparison between the latest Audi A3 and one of its rivals, the Volkswagen Golf, may accentuate Audi’s penchant for luxury. Both these vehicles share the same MQB platform, a product of the Volkswagen Group’s engineering prowess.
The Audi makers
You know what they say – behind every successful company stands a remarkable team of individuals. And in the case of Audi, this holds absolutely true.
From professionals in various roles, such as engineers, designers, and assembly line workers, Audi owes its current status to numerous dedicated individuals.
Despite being a German company, Audi has established a robust global presence. Let’s explore the individuals contributing to Audi’s success!
First, let’s focus on the engineers. These brilliant minds are the driving force behind Audi’s cutting-edge technology, responsible for the renowned ‘Vorsprung durch Technik.’ They are the ones answerable for ensuring that Audis drive like a dream and their power plants purr like contented kittens.
A considerable number of Audi’s engineers are based at the company’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany. As of December 31, 2021, the Ingolstadt site employed an impressive 42,436 professionals!
Currently, Gernot Döllner serves as Audi’s chief engineer, primarily focusing on accelerating Audi’s transition to electrification.
And let’s not overlook the designers – they play a pivotal role in ensuring that Audis are not only high-performing but also aesthetically pleasing.
Audi maintains three prominent design studios in the following locations:
- Ingolstadt, Germany
- Beijing, China
- Malibu, United States
This means that, in addition to Germany, Audis are designed in centers located in China and the United States!
Marc Lichte has held the position of Audi’s head of design since 2014.
However, it’s essential to recognize that Audi’s greatness is not solely the result of top-level executives’ efforts. Assembly line workers also contribute immensely, investing countless hours in bringing each Audi to life.
They are the unsung heroes of Audi’s production process, working tirelessly to ensure that every car meets Audi’s exacting standards.
Where does Audi develop its vehicles?
Now that we’re exploring who makes Audi cars, have you ever pondered where they develop Audis? We’re here to share intriguing facts. Audi’s leading site is in Ingolstadt, Germany, producing most Audi models for over 70 years with 42,000+ employees. Currently, they make Audi Q2, A3, A4, and A5 there.
Another major plant is in Neckarsulm, Germany, where Audi’s history spans over 100 years. More than 15,000 workers craft Audis, and in 2021, they manufactured 145,092 vehicles, including their first fully electric Audi. They produce:
- A4
- A5 Cabriolet
- A6
- A7
- A8
- R8
- e-tron GT
Beyond Germany, Audis are made in Aurangabad, India; Bratislava, Slovakia; Brussels, Belgium; Changchun, China; Győr, Hungary; Jakarta, Indonesia; Martorell, Spain; San José Chiapa, Mexico. Interestingly, no Audis are manufactured in the United States. The closest production site is in San José Chiapa, Mexico, where they make the Audi Q5.
Which company manufactures Audi Engines?
As part of the Volkswagen Group, Audi shares engines with Volkswagen, Seat, and Skoda models. One such engine is the EA888, a 2.0-liter TSI petrol engine found in various Audi and Volkswagen cars. These include the Audi A3, A4, Q3, and Q5, as well as the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat, Seat Leon, and Skoda Octavia and Superb.
The engines for Audi vehicles are manufactured in Hungary by Audi Hungaria at the Győr engine factory. Audi Hungaria has been developing powerplants for the Volkswagen Audi Group since 1994 and has grown into the world’s largest engine factory. They have nearly 6,000 employees who produce over 8,800 engines daily, with a total production of more than 35 million engines to date. This fact highlights the remarkable scale and significance of Audi Hungaria in engine production for Audi and its affiliated brands.
What makes the Audi brand so interesting?
Here are some intriguing Audi facts to enrich your knowledge about this renowned car brand:
- A Century-Old Legacy: Audi boasts a history of over a hundred years, precisely 124 years. Its enduring presence has solidified its position among the popular used German car brands in the UAE.
- The Symbolic Rings: Audi’s four interlinked rings symbolize the union of four companies that birthed the Auto Union: Audi, Horch, DKW, and Wanderer. Each ring represents one of these auto pioneers – the first stands for Audi, the second for DKW, the third for Horch, and the fourth for Wanderer. Explore other fascinating car logos and their meanings.
- Pioneering Safety Tests: Audi pioneered crash testing its cars, an astounding achievement dating back to 1938. Unlike today’s advanced methods, Audi engineers would dramatically demonstrate car safety by rolling an Audi F7 car down a hill before onlookers, devoid of modern crash test dummies and sensors.
- First Dual-Clutch Gearbox: Audi was the first to introduce the dual-clutch gearbox, showcased in the Audi Quattro S1 E2 prototype. This advanced transmission system optimized the car’s potent 600bhp output, setting a trend for high-performance vehicles.
- First Left-Hand Drive: In 1921, Audi unveiled the Tyke K at the Berlin Motor Show, marking their first post-war design. This vehicle achieved a top speed of 95 km/h and stood out as the first German left-hand drive car, revolutionizing the industry and becoming a standard feature in 1920s cars.
- Quattro Rally Dominance: Audi’s Quattro system debuted in 1980, just as the World Rally Championship was shifting toward four-wheel-drive cars. Between 1981 and 1986, Audi secured numerous rally victories and claimed championships in 1983 and 1984. It also dominated the Pikes Peak Hill Climb six times from 1982 to 1997.
- Le Mans Success: Audi made history by becoming the first auto manufacturer to win the prestigious Le Mans race with both diesel and hybrid-powered cars. The R8 racer triumphed in 2005, and in 2006, the R10 TDI with a V10 engine secured victory. Audi continued its winning streak in 2012 with hybrid technology, boasting a total of 13 Le Mans victories, showcasing their commitment to cutting-edge automotive engineering.
Is Audi a reputable car maker?
You’ve explored the extensive history of Audi, delved into the individuals steering the brand, and even learned about their engine suppliers.
But let’s cut the chase. Does Audi stand out as a reputable automaker?
In brief, yes, it does. But let’s go into details of this matter.
When scrutinizing Audi’s reliability, we can deduce that industry rankings assign Audi a less-than-stellar reliability rating. While consumer feedback tends to be more positive, it remains somewhat moderate at best.
However, it’s essential to bear in mind that not all Audi models share this questionable reliability.
Here’s a list of the most dependable Audi models:
- Audi A5
- Audi TT
- Audi A3
- Audi A4
- Audi A7
- Audi A6
We also examined Audi models you might want to avoid if you prioritize reliability:
- Audi Q3
- Audi e-tron
- Audi Q5
- Audi A8
- Audi Q7
In summary, Audi’s reliability falls below the industry average. Nevertheless, the luxury, performance, and features that Audi offers compensate for this, making it a worthwhile choice for a car brand.
Final Words
Here we are, concluding our blog on who makes Audi cars. We’ve explored Audi’s past, the individuals involved, production locations, and engine manufacturers. We appreciate your company in this exploration of the Audi universe. Until we meet again, enjoy the road ahead!
Who Makes Audi Cars – FAQs
