Audi e-motor production begins in Hungary

AUDI has this week announced the commencement of production of e-motors and related components for its Premium Platform Electric (PPE), an architecture set to underpin highly anticipated battery electric models including the forthcoming Audi A6 e-tron and Porsche Macan.

Produced at Audi’s Gyor facility in Hungary, the newly developed electric motors are being produced ahead of series production of the SUV duo in Ingolstadt and Leipzig at the end of next year (2024), the Audi Hungaria operation manufacturing stators, axles, and transmission components inside a 15,000 square metre facility.

“Gyor is predestined for the production of these highly compact and efficient electric motors for the PPE,” explained Audi chief executive officer, Gernot Dollner.

“The highly qualified team at the site has already built over 400,000 electric drive systems since 2018, which is invaluable experience.”

Indeed, the Gyor-based team already has experience in building the drive system for Audi’s impressive Q8 e-tron. Furthermore, an additional production area is being constructed for electric motors to be used in Volkswagen Group MEBeco based electric models.

The new PPE facility boasts three lines and 700 employees. The facility runs in three shifts to build up to 2000 electric motors per day for PPE models alone.

“The start of production in Gyor marks an important milestone in the ramp-up of production of the Audi Q6 e-tron,” said Audi board member for production and logistics, Gerd Walker.

“I know from personal experience how passionately the team at Audi Hungaria works and how systematically it advances the further electrification of the world’s largest engine plant.

“With its enormous expertise in drive systems and net carbon neutral production, the Gyor site is an indispensable part of Audi’s global production network.”

Interestingly, production at the Gyor plant has been carbon neutral since 2020, the facility featuring Europe’s largest roof-mounted photovoltaic system. It is also Hungary’s largest consumer of geothermal energy.

Audi Hungaria has invested around €12 billion ($A19.9b) since its foundation making the site one of the largest investors in Hungarian industry. In all, the facility currently employs approximately 12,000 people.

Audi and Porsche announced the co-developed PPE platform in 2018 as a means of lowering production costs, advancing the development of new models, and to offer its customers even faster charging via a 350kW DC unit.

Details of the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan EV are not yet locked in, but GoAuto understands both will utilise an 800-volt system, will be available with single- and dual-motor options – giving each the choice of rear- and all-wheel drive – and offer a driving range of up to 600km.

Previously, Porsche announced ambitious production forecasts for its battery-electric Macan saying it would match the number of internal combustion vehicles manufactured in a given year. Based on last year’s figures, the Stuttgart-based firm should output as many as 80,000 units per annum from its Leipzig plant.