Career

Four rings, one story - Balázs Svastics

2026. 08. 26.

Change is not an event, but a way of working. Trust, courage, openness and stability. These are the keywords of Balázs Svastics's career, which is being built at an unprecedented pace in the field of the tool shop's exclusive-series projects.

How and when did your career at Audi begin?

My Audi era began in 2013 when I secured an internship position while studying mechanical engineering at Széchenyi István University. I come from Pápa, where I had previously been able to learn a great deal alongside my father and helped out in his vehicle bodywork business. I came to Győr to continue my studies. At the university, I then heard more and more about the company with the four rings, which offers opportunities that match my field of specialisation. So, over time, it became self-evident that I would apply here as an intern. I was given my chance in the quality assurance area of the tool shop. 

When did you feel that you were in the right place? Did they indicate that they would count on you as an employee, too?  

Although at first I felt very small in the great Audi, within a few weeks it became clear that this is a special place that can hold an extraordinary number of opportunities for me. After that, the size and the diversity no longer intimidated me at all – on the contrary, they attracted me more and more. So I was delighted when, after six months, I was informed that they would count on me once my internship was over and I had earned my degree. That is how I became a full-time employee from 2014. 

As an employee, did you stay in quality assurance?  

The place stayed the same, but the task changed. As an intern, I dealt with purchased parts, but as an employee, the handling of customer complaints already fell to me – specifically in relation to the Lamborghini Aventador and the Porsche Panamera. For the former, we supplied fender, bonnet and door parts; for the latter, we manufactured the rear door. Any quality objections were reported from the Lamborghini factory and from the Volkswagen site in Hanover. 

Had you hoped that they would entrust you with such "premium" tasks right away?  

I would never have dreamed that, right after officially starting work, I would have to deal with such models straight away. Not least because, although I spoke English very well, my German knowledge left something to be desired. Handling the Porsche matters, however, forced me to learn German more thoroughly as well, up to negotiation level.

Not long after that, an even better opportunity opened up for you…

I was asked to fill a quality assurance resident position in Neckarsulm; I signed my assignment contract in December 2015. I supported the ramp-up of the Lamborghini Huracán Spyder and the Audi R8 Spyder, which were being produced with Audi Hungaria's body parts, right up until February 2017. Besides deepening my German knowledge and gaining professional experience, this period was also good for other things. On the one hand, the cultural diversity shaped my way of thinking; on the other, it reassured me that they trusted me and that my career path was heading in the right direction.

In what way had you changed when you came back?  

I was much braver. There, representing Audi Hungaria, I went to the discussions alone, and in many cases I had to prove myself in front of senior management. The position did not allow me to become uncertain, so I had to arrive at the meetings well prepared and armed with precise information. That is where I truly began to feel what stability means: that you are sure of yourself and trust your colleagues, who support you from nearly 800 km away. 

Did you try to transfer anything from the experiences of your assignment in Germany into the Győr practice?  

I tried to improve our negotiation culture. I sought to influence my colleagues by showing that consistency and precision are the foundation of cross-site communication. In addition, I sought to improve the efficiency of our meetings and shopfloor activities, an area in which, in my opinion, the German sites are leading the way. 

Did you return to the same area?  

I did stay in the tool shop, but I had the opportunity to choose between two offered areas for my professional development. Within jig and equipment manufacturing, I voted for the latter of the two options: the pre-series assembly activity of the components, and the technical project management of the press tools. I thought that I could put my previous experience to better use in this area. This was then borne out in practice as well. Since, from the design phase onwards, the technical management of the press-tool projects for the Q3 Sportback and the Audi e-tron GT, as well as the RS6 and RS7 models, belonged to me, we were able – based on the experience I had gained earlier – to improve the quality of the parts in advance. 

How long have you worked in this role so far?  

For three years. In 2020, the then head of the tool shop approached me with the request to take over the project management of the complete body parts. Although I asked for a week to think it over, after just a few days I gladly signalled to him: I'll do it! This was a huge leap in my life, since the role required even greater responsibility – cross-site project management with a team expanded to include engineers. It is unforgettable for me that, as the youngest member of the team, I had to behave as a leader, to motivate, and to find common ground with everyone. This is where I truly came to feel that I bear responsibility not only for the project but also for the employees. Alongside the triad of time, cost and quality, I also felt it was important that my colleagues feel good at their workplace and enjoy their work. Openness and trust are the key to this.

What does this mean for you in everyday life?  

I build a culture of trust by giving space to my colleagues, who can thereby develop both personally and professionally. I am open towards them, I trust them, and I listen to their professional suggestions – this is how I ensure that I can count on them at any time. This gives me the opportunity to work on several projects running in parallel. I need this, too, since I am currently handling six vehicle projects. Among them is one that is subject to complete confidentiality. One such example was the recently unveiled Audi Nuvolari. This model is the best example of how strict the secrecy is under which we sometimes have to work: only on the day after the world premiere was I able to tell the project team what we were working on.

What are you particularly proud of in your career? 

I am proud of all of them, but the first I would mention are the latest, just-unveiled Audi RS5 models. I look back on it as the best-executed vehicle project of recent years. The other that comes to mind is the Temerario, which set us no ordinary challenge. Through exemplary collaboration – involving Lamborghini and the Neckarsulm plant, and through the joint work of developers and design engineers – we managed to produce manufacturable parts in the envisioned way. I am proud of our tool shop's successes! That is also why it gives me particular joy when, during the 60-minute tours, I can show our guests and interested visitors what we actually do in the tool shop. Part of my work is also that, as a project manager, I deal with improving the energy efficiency of the complete vehicle plant. Mission: Zero is especially significant for me because, alongside the importance of environmental protection, I can experience project management from a different perspective as well.

What is your secret? How were you able to succeed like this?  

Quality assurance gave me the motivation not merely to be confronted with the finished facts, but to influence and shape quality! The quality that we believe we create ourselves! I work in this spirit, with a high degree of independence and initiative, and towards my colleagues with an openness built on trust. 

What message would you send to your colleagues? How can someone become a good professional, a role model?  

Approach your work and your project team with humility! It is also important that, if you feel the need, you should not be afraid to ask for help. And as a project manager, prepare yourself for the fact that the only constant is continuous change. If you cannot handle that flexibly, then not only you but also your project will get stuck. 

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