Audi has started production for the Indian market of its luxury midsize sedan, the Audi A6, at its Aurangabad plant. By 2015, when over 2,000 units of the A6 should are expected to roll off the line, Audi will have invested more than €30 million in production alone in India.

Starting in late 2008, the new Audi A4 will also be assembled locally.

Audi says that with the production in India, it is continuing the company's worldwide success story and growth trend, and is making a long-term investment in one of the world's most promising automotive markets. "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," Stadler said.

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. Here Audi consistently relies on the company's high worldwide standards.

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 favourable logistical conditions," said Frank Dreves, member of the board of management at Audi AG for production.

He clearly indicates the standards applied at Audi's second automotive production plant in Asia (after Changchun in China). "Top quality is a worldwide standard for Audi," Dreves said. "It's 'Made by Audi,' to put it simply. A highly skilled and motivated team of employees there also helps ensure this quality."

Currently 35 employees are 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.

The company plans to develop and expand its sales and dealer network.