Audi highlights sustainable production line in Neckarsulm facility

MANILA: Audi has started the high-tech but sustainable production of the next-gen A5 sedan at its Neckarsulm production facility in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. 

According to the German car maker, the modernized paint shop of the Neckarsulm plant was designed to rely on a low energy consumption cycle, which will save 140 kilowatt-hours per vehicle. 

While the company continues to use environmentally friendly water-based paints, it has also adopted a new cathodic dip painting process for added energy efficiency and space-saving. Better integration into the production process was likewise achieved thanks to a transverse dryer, as it eliminates the need for an external drying process.

Previously, the company merely disposed of paint mist collected by water from the shop. The plant’s upgraded paint section now uses state-of-the-art reusable filters to instead forgo the use of water entirely. 

Speaking of water, the Ingolstadt-headquartered company also professed its commitment to responsible water use. In the Neckarsulm plant, the Four Rings car brand has installed a closed water cycle, which is touted to save up to 70 percent of fresh water starting in 2025. 

To ensure fitting accuracy and quality, the production line of the A5 uses robots for its highly complex fender attachment process. Automated systems are likewise utilized to move around material within the plant. 

Per Audi, the Neckarsulm facility was the first of its kind to use driverless transport systems (DTS) back in 2014. At the moment, over 80 percent of raw materials and parts are transported in the facility using DTS. 

As a whole, Audi is looking to exhaust all possible avenues to continue to reduce its carbon footprint. 

On the product side, Audi Philippines, under PGA Cars, already sells eco-friendly electric vehicle (EV) models such as the RS e-tron GT, E-tron GT, and the Q8 e-tron. 

For those curious, the Philippine-spec e-tron GT is a high-performance sedan capable of producing up to 530 horsepower (hp), while the RS version is more powerful with its output of 646 hp. The Q8 e-tron, meanwhile, is a spacious five-seater sports utility vehicle with a maximum output of 408 hp. 

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