New Audi Plant in Mexico

[lakeside7]

Puebla, Mexico - Ahead of the official groundbreaking ceremony today for Audi's new Mexican plant, company officials reported that they have been inundated with job applicants, even though the factory will not start producing vehicles until 2016.

The 150,000 unit capacity plant in the town of San Jose Chiapa, close to VW's existing factory in Puebla, will supply the U.S. and other world markets with the next generation of the popular compact Audi Q5 crossover.

As the first full-scale German luxury car manufacturing operation in Mexico, there will be major emphasis on training the workforce, said Mattias Rust, head of Human Resources for the plant. This effort will go far beyond training programs at other plants and involve taking hundreds of employees to Germany for months at a time.

While there are three years to go before the start of production, Rust said Audi has already hired a number of management experts and is setting up a joint training program and center with the Puebla University.

"We will not make any compromise in terms of quality or the use of high technology equipment at this plant," said Rust. "It will be no different than our German plants."

Rust said Audi has had more than 2000 applicants even though hiring has not officially started and he expects at least 16,000 to apply for the 4000 positions the plant will eventually offer.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130504/AUTO0104/305040368#ixzz2SNe7dj4I

[holdrja]

Looking forward to buying a Mexican plated -- and originated-- Audi Q5 SUV. In a few years. Hope the quality is as good as it is now.

[carib]

Looking forward to buying a Mexican plated -- and originated-- Audi Q5 SUV. In a few years. Hope the quality is as good as it is now.

This does not mean it is going to be available here.

[satnrose]

I'd like to see Mexico come up with their own car someday.