Audi Launches Competition To Inspire New Production Ideas In The Age Of Electric Mobility

ZETLAND, AUSTRALIA – October 19, 2010: In mid 2010, Audi launched a competition to inspire new ideas: the Audi Production Award. The subject is car making in the age of electric mobility.

Students and scientists from Germany and Hungary have submitted a wide variety of concepts and the six teams with the most innovative ideas are participating in a two-day workshop this week in Ingolstadt as guests of Audi.

What will the production of electric cars in the future look like? During the workshop, the participants refined their concepts and received direct feedback from Audi experts. The automaker expects to gain new ideas from the participants – a perfect example of the open-source approach that is critical to the process of innovation.

“We’re having lively discussions and I am extremely pleased with the wealth of ideas from the participants,” says Dr. Bernd Griesbach, spokesperson for the Predevelopment and Innovation Team in Production.

“But the special aspect of the Audi Production Award is that the competition doesn’t end with the submission of concept portfolios. Each team is supported by a subject mentor from Production who stimulates additional thoughts and answers questions. This enables students to achieve further progress in the substance of their concept.”

These concepts address the most diverse aspects of car making – from the production of electric motors to the improved utilisation of materials.

“It is very enlightening to get feedback from experts in Production,” says participant Michael Schacht from Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg.

“It helps you see which aims can be realised in a practical setting, and which ones probably cannot – it’s great fun.”

The finalists also learned more on a tour through Audi Production and by attending expert presentations about production processes. The participants are able to forge contacts with high-level AUDI AG managers at the closing event.

After the workshop the teams will have two additional weeks to revise their concepts. An expert jury will select the winner of the Audi Production Award and the award ceremony will be held in early December.