While Audi’s production facilities in Ingolstadt have been growing for the past few years, the plant’s available space has reached its limits. Back in 2005, the factory produced the A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, Audi A3 and A3 Sportback, but over the years, Audi added the A5 Coupe, A4 allroad quattro and Q5 crossover.
To relieve the situation, the German company decided to a acquire an adjacent site measuring about 40 hectares at the Münchsmünster industrial park of which it will initially develop 27 hectares (66.71 acres or 270,000 sq. meters).
The company said it plans to begin development this year and have a new building ready by the second half of 2013. The facility will include a press shop with transfer presses and production lines for form-hardened body parts and machining chassis components, along with an aluminum die-casting foundry.
In regards to the aluminum die-cast foundry, Audi Production Board Member Frank Dreves said that it’s an important move for the German company: “Die-cast components are a central element of our lightweight construction strategy. Having our own die-cast foundry will enable us to advance the necessary technology and guarantee the long-term supply of die-cast aluminum parts.”
