The fifth day of the trip began very early with a quick breakfast, followed by a bus ride to Ingolstadt. Along the way, while looking out the window as usual, I noticed a couple of interesting things. I saw lots of campaign signs for the upcoming European Parliament elections, and I found them to be somewhat different from our campaign advertisements in the US. Whereas US political campaigns focus on one person versus another, the Germans seem to be campaigning over issues and ideas. Most signs I saw had general statements on them concerning various issues, such as promising more funding for certain programs or demanding new policies to deal with issues like climate change and migration. Most signs were just concerned with a party, with only a few actually mentioning a candidate. This is quite different from the US, where issues often move to the background as the candidates attack each other. I feel like the German system might makes things more civil, as campaigns often get out of hand in the US due to personal attacks by the competing candidates.
I also saw further evidence of German environmental initiatives, with one house having three different-colored waste disposal bins outside. The sorting of trash is virtually non-existent in the US, but it is very common in Germany, and it is a simple way for ordinary people to help the environment. I hope that America will catch on someday and try to implement a version of it. Another subtle difference I observed was the traffic signals. In Germany, they turn yellow before turning green instead of turning right from red to green as happens in the US. I like the German way better, since it gives drivers a signal to prepare to get moving again, whereas those not paying attention in the US can miss the abrupt light change.
We arrived at Audi around mid-morning, and I was immediately struck by the sleek, modern architecture and massive size of the buildings. After a brief introductory video, we headed into the factory for our tour. As we entered the body shop, I was immediately struck by the level of automation. Nary a human worker was in sight, and robots were everywhere. This reminded me more of Continental with its robots. With two out of three companies so far relying on a high degree of automation, I wonder if Hirschvogel has considered becoming more automated in its processes, since it seems that this is the direction in which manufacturing is moving . Perhaps they may invest in more automatic presses as opposed to manual ones.
As we continued the tour, I was also impressed by the road running from the suppliers on the other side of the street through to the factory. To have a road connecting suppliers with the factory directly seems like an ingenious was to set up a supply chain, and I’m sure it saves Audi and its suppliers a lot of time and money. Audi’s focus on quality is also worth noting. The guide said that they will not speed up production to meet target production levels if things get disrupted, which shows a clear preference for quality over quantity, and the quality inspection and random selection of finished cars for testing on their track add further layers to their quality control. While seemingly simple ideas, these surely contribute to Audi’s brand image and reputation through the achievement of high quality standards.
Upon the conclusion of the tour, we had some free time to spend in the museum, shops and to get lunch. A couple of guys and I headed for the museum first. There were some neat vehicles, including some World War Two military vehicles, but most were old, while we really wanted to see the more modern models. It was fun to practice my German reading skills in the museum though. Once we finished in the museum, we hung out and looked at the cars in the showroom and outside. One notable model was the e-tron, Audi’s first all electric vehicle. It runs so quietly that one crept up on us from behind without us noticing, and we had to dodge out of the way quickly to let it by. That got me thinking about how the quietness of the car could actually be a potential problem. Normally, when crossing a street or walking with or near cars, their noise is useful for letting one know where they are. Without the noise of the car, there could be a greater likelihood of accidents, as pedestrians not paying attention will be unable to hear the car coming if they are not looking for it. I wonder how car companies and/or governments will address this issue, or whether it will even become an issue at all.
After our free time, we headed into the office building for a presentation. The two gentlemen that hosted us really knew what they were talking about, and it was interesting to hear what they had to say about the company’s strategy concerning electric and autonomous vehicles, emissions, and urbanization. Interestingly, however, they had essentially the same attitude as Continental about their competitors, in this case BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Both companies seemingly conceded that their competitors are basically on the same level as they are and that there is little difference between them. I find it somewhat strange that big companies like these have no drivers for why the company brings more value than its competitors. In the US, most companies would tell you that they are better than their competition and give reasons why, even if they make some debatable remarks, instead of admitting that their competitors are virtually the same as them. It must just be a difference in the business cultures of the two countries.
At the conclusion of the presentation, we took some group photos and then headed back to Augsburg. After getting absolutely drenched on our way back in to the hotel, a large group of us went to get Döners at the same place as on Tuesday. Once again, people enjoyed them, and the store owner was very nice, asking us what language we spoke and giving us free Turkish black tea. A local also inquired where we were from, and we had a friendly chat with him. In general, it seems that Germans, while not always the warmest and friendliest people, are very helpful and nice to us visitors. It makes me feel more welcome here, and for those in our group who cannot speak the language, I am sure that it is reassuring to know that they are not scorned. I am definitely ready for a change of pace tomorrow, with no long drive to our destination, and I am excited for the politics talk, since I am interested in both American and German politics.