Audi 2006 Annual Report Download - page 137

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Innovations that bring greater safety
New generation of adaptive cruise control (ACC) in the Audi Q7
ACC represents an advance on the cruise control system and, subject to certain system
limits, can also maintain a preselected distance from the vehicle in front by means of a radar
sensor. As one of the first manufacturers to supply this system, Audi has launched a new
generation in the Audi Q7; it is capable of slowing down the premium SUV even to a stand-
still, and therefore covers the speed range below 30 km/h for the first time.
The braking function – another “first” in the Audi Q7 – is performed by an active brake
servo. It achieves deceleration of up to 4 m/s2. The driver will find this feature convenient
particularly in slow-moving traffic and traffic jams. After the car has halted, the driver can
simply restart the system via the control lever, accelerating the car again in pace with the
traffic.
Innovative companion – braking guard in the Audi Q7
Braking guard, a brand new concept available in conjunction with adaptive cruise control
(ACC), met with considerable interest at the press presentation of the Audi Q7. The wheel
sensor constantly monitors the lane ahead of the Audi Q7, irrespective of whether ACC is
being actively used. If a vehicle braking abruptly or driving much more slowly is identified in
front of the Audi Q7, braking guard warns the driver initially by means of an optical-acoustic
signal. If the driver does not react, a brief brake jolt is triggered as a second-tier measure. In
test group studies this brake jolt proved an appropriate means of alerting inattentive drivers
with as little reaction time as possible lost, prompting them to apply the brakes hard with
the aid of brake assist. For safety reasons, however, the emergency stop is not prompted by
the system itself.
Workforce
2006 2005
Audi Group, average for the year 52,297 52,412
of which:
AUDI AG 44,701 44,902
Ingolstadt plant 31,276 31,236
Neckarsulm plant 13,425 13,666
AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. 5,204 5,046
Lamborghini Group* 720 725
AUTOGERMA S.p.A. 873 836
* excluding AUTOGERMA S.p.A.
The Audi Group employed an average of 52,297 (52,412) people in 2006.
The workforce of AUDI AG remained on a par with the previous year at 44,701 (44,902)
employees. At AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., the number of employees rose to 5,204 (5,046)
in particular as a result of the establishment of the toolmaking shop and the start of TT
production. The employee total for the Lamborghini Group (excluding AUTOGERMA S.p.A.)
was essentially unchanged from the previous year. The employee total at AUTOGERMA
S.p.A. rose by 4.4 percent above all as a result of recruitment in the areas of Sales, Market-
ing and Service.
Employee matters