Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Audi plans to invest around Û11.6 billion (BD5.75 billion) between 2011 and 2015, primarily in new products and technologies, as well as in upgrading its sites.
The latest plans are the biggest investment programme in the company's history. "With this investment, we are laying the foundation for sustained, profitable growth, and supporting our claim to leadership in the premium car segment," said Axel Strotbek, board member for finance and organisation of Audi AG.
About 80 per cent of all investment - more than Û 9.5 billion - will go to developing new products and to technologies of the future such as electric and hybrid drive systems. One example is the Audi R8 e-tron, the first electric sports car from Audi, which the company wants to begin selling in late 2012.
The brand with the logo of the four rings will introduce numerous new models in 2011, including the new Audi A6 and the Audi Q5 Hybrid, the first full hybrid from the carmaker. In launching the new Audi Q3, which is manufactured in Martorell, Spain, Audi is occupying the midsize premium SUV segment for the first time.
The foundation for the future is also being laid at the company's German sites with huge sums to be invested in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm between 2011 and 2015.
"In addition to our foreign sites, the German sites will also profit greatly from Audi's good worldwide prospects for growth, especially in China," Strotbek said.
Jobs will also be created as a result.
"Innovation requires people," said Thomas Sigi, member of the AUDI AG board of management for human resources.
"For this reason, we want to hire around 1,200 experts in 2011 who will primarily bolster our electromobility and lightweight construction fields of competence, as well as the implementation of our growth strategy."
