A4s in China

Audi—which seems to becoming the favorite car company on this site—and FAW, its jv partner in China, have opened a new 883,000-sq. ft. assembly plant in Changchun. The 100-million euro facility—that’s about $147-million—is for the production of long-wheelbase versions of the A4 (presumably so that they are more limo-like, as buyers in the U.S. may be those who are looking for a high-quality compact while buyers in China are undoubtedly looking for a high-quality non-compact, as they’re not thinking about having a car for taking the kids to soccer practice) and the A5.

The plant will go into full production 14 months after construction began.

The plant utilizes the Audi standardized production system, which features such things as off-line preparation of subcomponents. “Ergonomics also played a central role during the planning phase of the new assembly hall in Changchun,” said Frank Dreves, member of the Board of Management for Production at Audi AG. “Height-adjustable materials-handling technology, for example, enables every one of our employees to maintain an optimal stance for working efficiently.”

Audi is doing well in China, having sold 93,610 vehicles there from January through August, 2009. Compared with the total 119,598 vehicles it sold there in 2008, it is on track for a 17.4% increase.