It seems like no facelifts will be built until at least BW35. Not looking good for Audi
Apparently Audi employees received information on their intranet yesterday. I’ve translated this for a German website.
The changeover to the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) cycle is currently causing problems for almost the entire German car industry. The mandatory test procedure from 1 September should more realistically determine the consumption and emission values of new vehicles. However, the certification of cars according to WLTP is extremely complex: both the manufacturers and the authorities are currently hardly behind. Corresponding test bench capacities are currently in short supply.
After Volkswagen had announced a few weeks ago that the bands are down for days due to the WLTP problems after the plant holidays, the sister company Audi also announced yesterday first measures: So are the four-week plant holidays at the Ingolstadt site (30 July to 24. August) on the B-lines - where the A4 and the A5 are produced - extended by another two weeks. The employees were informed in a message on the Audi intranet.
It also states that from 6 to 31 August, one shift on the A-Line (A3 and Q2) will be canceled. According to information from our newspaper alternately late and night shift are to be deleted. In addition, there will be "sporadic" production-free days on the B lines in September, with individual shifts eliminated. Also in the areas upstream of the production - such as press shop, paint shop, body shop and module production - it could come to "deviant ways of driving". In total, the measures affected around 18,000 employees at the Ingolstadt plant.
The additional days off should be balanced in relation to employees' working time accounts and company time credits. That would have agreed company and works council. "The consequences of the WLTP conversion must not be carried out alone on the backs of the workforce," said the deputy chairman of the works council of the Ingolstadt plant, Rita Beck, in the statement. They have now agreed with the company on a solution "in the interests of the employees".
More detailed information should probably get the Audians then tomorrow at the works meeting.
Comment by Sebastian Oppenheimer
Expensive standstill
There were already better times for Audi: The diesel scandal has clearly scratched the image of the brand with the four rings. When then three weeks ago in the wake of the exhaust gas affair company boss Rupert Stadler was taken into custody due to blackout risk, reached the Ingolstadt car maker in public perception a new low point. But: The negative news do not want to break off. Yesterday, Audi announced the consequences of switching to the WLTP exhaust test cycle for the production team in Ingolstadt: Among other things, the factory holidays on the B-lines will be extended by two weeks, on the A-line a shift will be canceled for weeks.
This is of course annoying, especially for all Audians who have already taken their vacation for this year - they then make with the forced break then strong minus hours.
Particularly dreaded are such stoppages in the production of the employees of the night shift. They earn significantly more than the colleagues of the day shift - and not infrequently have to pay accordingly lush loans for a house. According to rumors, hard work was fought between the works council and the company over the night shifts. In the end, there was apparently a compromise: late and night shift on the A-line account for the change. Although this is good for the night shifters - the company is likely to end up expensive in the end. Because: half of the time in which the tapes are stopped, paid Audi, so to speak. In other words: If you have a 35-hour week, you will be credited 3.5 hours for each day you miss your outage.
The bad news: The WLTP problem should occupy the carmaker even longer. Currently, there is a search for large parking areas for vehicles manufactured according to WLTP specifications, but not yet finally certified. And that many Audis just can not order and probably the delivery times will grow significantly, should also leave financial mark.
