Today was the Audi site visit. We started with a tour of the Audi manufacturing plant, and it was mind-blowing to see the precision and technology that goes into making each car. The plant we visited focused specifically on creating the A3, Q2, A4, A5, and Q6 models. They produce around 2,000 cars daily, using approximately 800 tons of steel and 60-70 tons of aluminum. The plant’s location is strategically important because it’s close to a train station, with two-thirds of their new cars actually leaving by train.

Our guide walked us through the entire process, from initial design and engineering to final assembly. Watching the robots and workers seamlessly build these incredible machines was like witnessing a well-choreographed dance. Every part had its place, and every step was meticulously planned and executed, ensuring that all car bodies have no more than 1 cm of variation to guarantee the highest standards.

Seventy percent of the cars are exported, meaning they have to be adapted to the different markets they are produced for. However, cars for the Chinese market are produced directly in China. During the assembly process, groups of 10-20 people work together, rotating in and out of their roles. I found it fascinating that whenever there’s a problem, workers can pull different ropes that play pieces from classical songs, indicating where the issue occurred.

A pattern I keep noticing across the companies we visit is the heavy gender imbalance. Only 11% of the production staff at Audi are women, and overall, women make up just 15-16% of the workforce. Another interesting aspect was the presence of smoking areas inside the plant, which is quite different from America. Additionally, they even have bicycles to get from one place to another within the plant.

After the plant tour, we headed to the Audi museum, which was equally impressive. The museum showcased cars from throughout the ages, and it was fascinating to see the evolution of automotive design and technology.