Audi has successfully started production for the Indian market of the world's most successful luxury midsize sedan - the Audi A6 - at Aurangabad in Maharashtra. By 2015, when more than 2,000 units of the A6 should be rolling off the line, Audi will have invested more than 30 million Euro in production alone in India. Starting in late 2008, the new Audi A4 will also be assembled locally.

"Starting our own production there is the best way to adequately serve such a promising growth market like India," said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. "India is one of the components of our Strategy 2015, which aims to achieve sales of 1.5 million automobiles per year worldwide. We want to be the most successful premium brand in India as well", he added.

The carmaker has set up an exclusive assembly line on the premises of the group production facility in Aurangabad for production of the Audi A6. Cutting-edge technology and highly skilled employees are the key to efficient production: the Indian team has been intensively prepared for their jobs with extensive training at the Audi plant in Neckarsulm.

In selecting the location for Audi in India, the group plant for SAIPL (Skoda Auto India Private Limited) in Aurangabad provided several decisive advantages. "Audi benefits from an outstanding infrastructure, highly developed working processes, a large pool of skilled workers and favorable logistical conditions," said Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management at AUDI AG for Production.

There are currently 35 employees working in Aurangabad on the Audi production line, in quality assurance and in logistics. In 2008, more than 300 A6 sedans will be assembled in single-shift operation. The Audi A6 is intended exclusively for the Indian market. Audi also imports models such as the Audi A4, Audi A8, Audi Q7 and Audi TT.