Audi 2006 Annual Report Download - page 9

RUPERT STADLER
PHOTO: CLAUDIA KEMPF
7AUDI 2006 ANNUAL REPORT
Leading the way with
an alert intellect
and innovative power
As new Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG,
Rupert Stadler can rely on the “Progressive Performance” of his
highly motivated team.
Acar manufacturer nowadays has to be
able to act swiftly, flexibly and decisively.
Only then will it be able to survive the
rough-and-tumble of international competition.
But for all this alacrity, the minds behind the com-
p
any also need to think in the longer term. That
holds particularly true for Audi. Because we are
already promoting developments that may only
acquire market relevance in 20 years’ time. It is
therefore important to identify potential early on
and anticipate trends in order to shape them. That
skill necessitates an alert, receptive intellect.
We at Audi refer to this maxim as “Progressive
Performance”. It applies to all divisions of the
company – from Technical Development, through
Purchasing, Production, Finance, Human Re-
sources and Communication, to Sales. This
attitude prevents us from ever resting on our
laurels. Quite the opposite, in fact: Progressive
Performance embodies an iron resolve to do
everything that already worked well in the past
even better in the future.
The prime beneficiaries are our discerning cus-
tomers. As premium customers, they are entitled
to products of supreme quality. In acquiring our
products, they also obtain “Vorsprung durch
Technik”, that technological advance that we
secure through outstanding customer-driven in-
novations.
It may take the form of electronic driver assist-
ance systems that ‘lead the way’ in a dual sense.
It may take the form of lightweight vehicle bodies
comprising the Audi Space Frame and ultramod-
ern joining techniques. Or it may take the form
of technology that makes engines both high-
performance and economical.
Audi has long been investigating ways of re-
ducing emissions and fuel consumption to a
minimum. As the pioneer of TDI technology, Audi
has set standards in cutting fuel consumption.
And in the spectacular triumph of our diesel-
powered racing car, the Audi R10 TDI, in the
Le Mans 24 Hours, we demonstrated the huge
potential of diesel technology.
Our latest generation of engines transfers the
advantages of the TDI principle to the petrol en-
gine, resulting in the high-torque, fuel-efficient
TFSI. This pioneering concept delivers remark-
able performance in conjunction with low fuel
consumption. But we are aiming for even more:
our objective in Progressive Performance is to
assure automobility that complies with even the
toughest environmental standards – without
sacrificing dynamism and driving fun in the
process. That is why we are working intensively
on alternative fuels and drive principles.
Progressive Performance therefore also entails
a sense of responsibility. Not just towards the
environment, but also towards the Audi com-
pany’s workforce of more than 50,000 people all
over the world. There are numerous ways of
meeting these responsibilities. For instance, by
developing and manufacturing new, attractive
and competitive products. Because the economic
success of these products safeguards growth
and employment. That is what distinguishes
Audi: the brand with the four rings wants to be
number one. An ambition that motivates the
entire team to deliver top performance.