May 13: Last company visit at Audi this afternoon. Every visit we have taken so far has come full circle and now we get to see the finished product being made. I have seen a similar production line to this at the Mini Cooper factory in Oxford. Audi’s building is being rearranged so the old body shop was not working but the tour was incredibly interactive and interesting. The way that Audi’s automated machines can switch back and forth for any vehicle at any time is impressive. The factory runs day and night and produces 2000 pre-ordered vehicles a day. If I were to order an Audi and get a custom color, I would either do a really nice pink or maybe the color of my own eyes.
We were not allowed to photograph the factory tour, but the museum was open for pictures! The museum starts on the top floor and takes you back in time to the early 1900s when Audi began. Bikes and bicycles are actually how it started, and all the old vehicles were so cool. Walking through time I could tell what cars were from what era, and it was nice to read plaques saying where the visual inspiration came from – usually another car inspired a popular style. The car in the picture above was part of a movie that was actually playing on the tv next to it.
Similar to Grob, Audi seems very connected to its employees. The cafeteria we ate at was full of fresh foods but was a bit expensive. The employees get a discount of the cars as well.
I spent the evening with other group members and ate at Nude on the corner across from the tram station. There was trivia night at Flannigan’s Irish Pub – our team, the Pittsburghers, did not make the leader board. I am sad that our company visits are over, but now we can work on our group projects for Wednesday. Once again, I wonder how the time flew so quickly. Tomorrow, Tuesday, is a free day to work and explore so I hope the weather is warm and sunny!