The commissioning of the self-driving robots (Fahrerloses Transport Fahrzeug, FTF) for the PPE production line commenced in 2021, with functionality tests, followed by software and connectivity tests. Following a test phase of around three years, a fleet of 30 robots delivers the components required for the PPE production line in the areas of transmission manufacturing, stator assembly and drive production, covering a total of 131 kilometers per day. We are particularly proud that the software monitoring the robot fleet was made possible by the new ideas and solutions brought in by our company’s employees.
45,000,000 hearts beating. We have reached another milestone in our more than 30-year history of powertrain production, with the 45 millionth powertrain, a 220 kW electric drive unit, having rolled off the production line at Audi Hungaria, and transported from the company on carbon neutral “green trains” to Ingolstadt, where it was fitted into an Audi Q6 e-tron model. Launched in March 2024, Audi’s latest SUV model brings the next technological level of premium electromobility to our customers, and it is the first production model based on the entirely Győr-manufactured PPE platform.
Even if we pause for a moment to celebrate, progress can not stop: this year, preparations for the production of the next generation of electric motors, the MEBeco (Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukasten, modular electric drive concept), have begun. Production lines are designed virtually, and new equipment for the future production of transmission components has arrived. The new electric motor family will be produced at Audi Hungaria with a greater production depth, so the rotor, the power electronics and the plate pack will be produced in Győr by our employees who have acquired the required new competences. The 110-tonne press and the line transfer unit required for the production has already been installed.
Alongside the Audi RS Q3 and Sportback model – which has been chosen as the Hungarian Car of the Year 2024 – and its derivatives, the Spanish mentality has arrived to our factory, and Audi Hungaria officially started the series production of the CUPRA Terramar model, designed in Barcelona and built in Győr. With our cooperation with CUPRA, we have opened a new chapter in the history of our factory: Audi Hungaria is the first Audi factory to produce a vehicle of a subsidiary brand. As a testament to the flexibility and expertise of our employees, we have integrated CUPRA Terramar into our existing production infrastructure, creating a number of synergies in our manufacturing processes.
In November, number two was the winning number at our factory, as the 2,222,222nd vehicle rolled off the Audi Hungaria production line. A lot of hard work, dedication and teamwork goes into making each vehicle, so we would like to thank our colleagues in the vehicle factory for their professional and dedicated work.
The premium brands of the brand group – Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley – benefit primarily from the experience and expertise gained over many years in the exclusive series production of body parts in Győr. These brands carry the good reputation of Audi Hungaria... from Győr to the world. The new Lamborghini Urus SE, the 800-hp hybrid SUV model that will be launched in April this year, has a rear boot lid made in our Tool Factory.
In addition to our engine and vehicle manufacturing activities, we are continuously expanding our multifunctional service portfolio covering all areas of the automotive industry in our Shared Competence Center (SCC). To achieve this, we develop competence- and platform-oriented services that support our international customers in the long term.
As part of this, for example, our Corporate Quality Assurance Vehicle Drives area closed another successful project in 2024, having worked in cooperation with Automobili Lamborghini since 2020. Our colleagues provided technical support in raising the qualification of the components for the new V12 and V8 biturbo engines for the Lamborghini Revuelto and the Temerario models, respectively, and in the development of the manufacturing processes for the purchased parts. In 2024, we once again collaborated with the Volkswagen Group on a project: the development of an ESG-IT tool, which will continue in 2025. This tool enables the recording, analysis, and internal and external reporting of ESG data for hundreds of group companies, all in an audit-proof manner.
Audi Hungaria Technical Development has been actively shaping the mobility of the future for more than two decades. Not only is it a key pillar of our company, but it also plays a central role in the global product development network of Audi and Volkswagen Group. The Vehicle Development team has achieved outstanding results by developing the overall vehicle properties in virtual space using numerical simulations such as the E/E integration and the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL). A highlight of this year among the tasks of Powertrain Development was the application of pure electric cars, i.e. the set-up of the power electronics software, for which vehicle tests are also carried out in extreme climatic conditions. That is how two of our development engineers got to the Audi-Volkswagen test center in Lapland in the Arctic Circle to test vehicles in extreme climatic conditions in winter.
Founded in 2023, our service-focused subsidiary AUDI HUNGARIA AHEAD Kft. celebrated its first birthday this year. Ahead’s team of 500 employees provides a wide range of procurement, IT and finance services to the Group’s many sites on a daily basis. “The Investor of the Year 2023” award for the Largest Training Program will provide its employees with professional, cross-training and language training between 2024–2025, further developing their wide range of competences, as part of its employee training program launched last year.
Operating carbon neutrally since January 2020, sustainability and reducing our environmental footprint has always been a priority in our strategy. One of the key elements of our Mission:Zero environmental program, in addition to energy efficiency, is to generate the energy we need from renewable energy sources. In addition to the 160,000 square meters of photovoltaic installations we built in 2020, in June we installed an another 160,000 square meters of solar power plant on the roof of our vehicle assembly hall building, and on a part of the green area of our site, taking into account biodiversity-friendly aspects. The innovative solar tracking technology with active panels on both sides, can produce almost 30% more energy.
Audi Hungaria is an active and responsible member of the community of Győr and the region, and as a committed supporter of culture and sports, we help many national and local associations and clubs to make sports a part of everyday life for everyone. This year, our company has extended its sports subsidies from corporate tax, so in addition to the Hungarian Volleyball Federation and the Hungarian Basketball Federation, we also support the Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation.
In the same spirit, our successful cooperation with the prominent handball team of the city of Győr has continued, with our company having committed to supporting the women’s handball team of Győri Audi ETO KC for another three years. The lives of Audi Hungaria and the 6-time Champions League winner and 17-time Hungarian handball champion handball club have been intertwined for almost 20 years, and our new sponsorship agreement will further strengthen our partnership with one of the best handball teams in the world.
As part of our commitment to quality, we are proud to support the cultural life of Győr. Audi Hungaria has been the main supporter of the Győr Ballet for 26 years. In addition to Audi Hungaria celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, we are committed to being the ballet company’s chief sponsor for a further three years.
Three years ago, Audi Hungaria launched its “It’s good to do good!” volunteering month initiative, which allowed our employees to join a wide range of projects by volunteering in their free time. The timeframe of the one-month initiative soon proved to be tight, and the enthusiasm and many helping hands outgrew the framework, so in 2024 we could offer our help throughout the year. Since 2023, the will to help has culminated in a big event one day a year, the international Volunteering Day, which this year focused on supporting people with disabilities to do sports. Our enthusiastic employees have undertaken three different volunteer projects, supported by the company with donations.
Audi Hungaria ended 2024 with success as one of the leading companies in the Hungarian economy. With more than 30 years of experience and the unique expertise of our employees, we look forward to the challenges of the future.
