Audi launches A3 Sedan production at expanded Hungary plant
Audi has started full production of the A3 Sedan at its newly expanded Győr facility, targeting 125,000 vehicles annually and creating over 2,000 new jobs.
Audi has started full production of the A3 Sedan at its expanded factory in Győr, Hungary, following a €900 million investment that has more than tripled the plant’s annual capacity. The move marks a strategic shift for Audi Hungaria, which now manufactures entire vehicles on site rather than assembling them from imported components.
Serial production of the A3 Sedan began in June 2013, making it the first Audi model to be fully manufactured in Hungary. Until this point, Győr’s output had focused on engine production and final assembly of models such as the TT, using major components shipped from Germany. The new investment introduced a complete manufacturing process, including press shop, body shop, paint shop and final assembly, all under one roof.
Plant expansion and new jobs
The expansion increased the plant’s capacity from 33,500 to 125,000 vehicles per year. Audi took on 2,100 new workers for the project, lifting the facility’s workforce to over 9,000 by the end of 2013. The Győr site is now one of Hungary’s largest employers and accounts for a significant share of the country’s exports. According to company figures, the number of employees grew to 10,337 by early 2014, with another 15,000 jobs supported at suppliers.
Audi’s Hungarian subsidiary produced a record 1,925,636 engines in 2013, as well as 42,851 vehicles. Of these, 21,607 were A3 Saloons and 2,886 were A3 Cabriolets. The A3 Cabriolet joined the production line in October 2013. Management set an ambitious target to triple vehicle production to over 120,000 units in 2014, aiming to bring the plant close to its new full capacity.
Why the A3 Sedan?
The A3 Sedan was developed to meet demand in markets such as China and the United States, where four-door saloons are favoured over hatchbacks. The model sits below the A4 in Audi’s range, targeting buyers seeking a compact premium saloon with lower running costs and a smaller footprint. The Győr plant supplies both Europe and North America with the A3 Sedan.
The A3 Sedan offers a 425-litre boot and a choice of petrol and diesel engines, including a 1.4-litre TFSI and 2.0-litre TDI. Features such as advanced infotainment, LED lighting and lane-keeping assistance are available, in line with Audi’s push to offer premium technology across its range. The interior shares much with the A3 Sportback, but with a larger boot and a more traditional saloon profile.
Impact on Hungary and Audi’s global strategy
Audi’s investment has made Győr the group’s first site outside Germany with full vehicle manufacturing capabilities. The company has spent over €5.7 billion in Hungary since 1993, making it the country’s largest foreign investor. The expansion supports Audi’s global strategy of producing closer to key markets and increasing flexibility in its supply chain.
- Győr now produces the A3 Sedan and Cabriolet, as well as TT Coupé and Roadster.
- The plant’s expansion included new press, body and paint shops.
- Audi Hungaria is one of the world’s largest engine producers.
The first Hungarian customer received their locally built A3 Sedan in November 2013. Audi expects the model to find buyers in Hungary and across export markets, leveraging the plant’s increased capacity and the appeal of a compact premium saloon.
For further details on the A3 range, see2013 Audi A3 Sportback Going to Paris Motor Show.
