Audi Confirms Stamping Plant for Hungary

VIENNA – Audi will construct a stamping plant as a part of the expansion of its Audi Hungaria Motor facility in Gyor, Hungary.

The auto maker confirms the press shop on the occasion of the official groundbreaking ceremony for the factory’s expansion.

Audi A3 sedan concept.

Audi announced the plan to expand its Hungarian facility last September, but there was no final decision on the stamping plant at that time.

Currently, the Hungarian plant assembles Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, A3 Cabriolet and RS3 Sportback cars using painted bodies sourced from Germany.

Now a complete new car plant with its own press, body, paint and assembly shops is being created on a 494-acre (200-ha) site in Gyor.

“This decision adds the final link to the production chain at this location, and we will now be able to handle every stage in the building of an Audi model here, from sheet metal to finished car,” Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler says in a statement.

The company is planning to invest more than E 900 million ($1.3 billion) in the new plant.

Audi previously said the investment will bring 1,800 new jobs. The press shop now will create an additional 300 jobs, bringing the total number of new workers at Audi Hungaria to 2,100 over the next few years.

The recruitment of new workers already is under way, and the first new employees have been hired.

The new model to be made in Gyor will be a sedan version of the Audi A3. Audi unveiled the concept car at this year’s Geneva auto show.

“We will launch serial production of the car in late-spring 2013,” Audi Hungaria Chairman Thomas Faustmann tells Ward’s.

With the new investment, the auto maker will increase its annual capacity from about 70,000 cars to 125,000.

The Gyor facility also is Audi’s only engine plant, with a production portfolio that includes 4-, 5-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-cyl. engines.