Career

Ten Weeks, Two Continents – Hungarian Colleagues in Mexico

2025. 08. 06.

Recently, twenty-three of our colleagues supported activities related to the ramp-up and market launch of the new Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback models in San José Chiapa, Mexico – the highest-altitude Audi plant in the Group.

Zsolt Kelemen and his rework team had previously worked in several European Group plants, including Ingolstadt, Zwickau, and Bratislava. However, this was their first overseas assignment, which they approached with great excitement and enthusiasm, even during the preparation phase.

How was the traveling team assembled?

The management of the Mexican plant reached out to the leadership in Győr, requesting our support – an honor in itself. Based on the competencies requested by Audi México and with volunteers from our team, we assembled a group that included both mechanical and electrical specialists, as well as vehicle repair and rework experts.

What was the task?

The ramp-up of a vehicle model can involve many unexpected events that require extended working hours. Since no production unit is staffed for such situations permanently, it’s a well-established practice for Group plants to support each other. Our main task was rework on finished vehicles, along with replacing missing parts.

How was the cooperation with the Mexican colleagues? What was the biggest challenge?

The people were kind, so we had no issues in that regard. The biggest challenge was adapting to the Spanish-speaking environment. This was essential to perform full-value work on a completely new model with minimal training. Outside of work, the nearly 12-hour flight, the altitude of over 2,300 meters, the 8-hour time difference, and the consistently high UV radiation in sunny weather were all challenging. Interestingly, we arrived during the dry season, which was tough at first, but by the time we left, the rainy season had turned the barren landscape green.

What did you do in your free time?

We didn’t have much free time, as we worked on Saturdays too. Only Sundays were available for rest and excursions. Since we stayed in a hotel in Puebla, a large city near the plant, commuting took considerable time and distance. So, we explored nearby places. It took me about a week to get used to the road conditions, the urban congestion, and the frequent presence of soldiers and police. I also tried to immerse myself in the local culture, especially the southern Mexican cuisine. My favorites were the taco árabe and the cemita – a sandwich stuffed with a huge breaded meat cutlet.

If you had to summarize your experience in one sentence, how would you describe the assignment in Mexico?

I gained wonderful experiences and valuable knowledge – it would have been a shame to miss it.

Gábor Peti, also on his first overseas assignment, was part of the Hungarian delegation:

“Mexicans are kind, helpful, cheerful, and welcoming. We encountered this attitude during our work as well – our Mexican colleagues were grateful for our help, and we developed good relationships. Communication was a bit difficult since most people only spoke Spanish, but we managed with smart devices. Professionally, the biggest challenge was diagnosing issues during the production of a new, unfamiliar model. Since I enjoy expanding my knowledge, it was a great opportunity to learn about new systems. We also had time to relax. Puebla has several world-famous landmarks, such as the Sun and Moon Pyramids in Teotihuacan, and the world’s smallest volcano, which you can even climb into. I tried many traditional dishes – most were delicious, although I still don’t like coriander. The local market was a real culture shock – beautiful fruit, but scary meat.”

Kristóf Péter Müller had his first Audi assignment in Mexico:

“The biggest surprise was that the operation of the Mexican plant differed from what I expected. I thought all Group plants used the same processes to ensure quality, but there were local differences. Despite initial difficulties, we adapted well and quickly learned our way around the plant and its processes. Our direct colleagues were kind and extremely helpful – we formed great friendships. Without hesitation, I can say I’d gladly return to support the team there with the experience and knowledge I’ve gained.”

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