Audi 2015 Annual Report Download - page 71

Level
CHECK MANUFACTURABILITY
The goal is to run a marathon. In
sports, the trainer and marathon
runner fi rst get together to discuss
what they want to achieve and what
they have to o er. Training goal ver-
sus physical requirements. In series
production it is also about weigh-
ing options : concept versus techni-
cal feasibility. This is how bought-
in parts management at Audi
Procurement works with suppliers
to ensure the ideas from develop-
ment and design are turned into
reality. One example can be found
in the interior of the new Audi Q,
which is a delight for customers.
For the fi rst time, Audi has integrat-
ed two di erent designs within
a single application in the instru-
ment panel – one for day, one
for night. Implementing this idea
posed a major challenge.
Level
DISCUSS COMMITMENT
Once the goal and the associated
requirements have been defi ned,
the basic physical condition is
checked. It provides the basis for
achieving what you set out to do,
and for getting right to the top.
Before things can get started, Audi
Procurement checks the processes
and existing equipment – the facili-
ties, machinery and materials – of
the suppliers and their subcontrac-
tors. All these components create
the basis for top quality, and do
so with each and every individual
part. Where the expectations
coincide, a mutual commitment
is made. Now everyone can work
toward series production.
Level
PRODUCE TOOLS
The decision has been made to train
together to achieve the goal. Yet
there is still a long way to go. In the
next step the training aims to
improve the athlete’s long-distance
performance. A marathon covers
many miles. When components are
manufactured for cars, production
has to run over many years. Just
like in sports, it takes a great deal
of stamina on the production line.
To ensure the high Audi quality
standards over a model’s entire
lifecycle, Audi Procurement works
together with Technical Develop-
ment to support suppliers that
produce special tools for Audi com-
ponents – in terms of durability
and complexity. Production of
the headlight alone in the next
Audi A requires tools for around
 individual parts. The tools
for the headlight’s cover glass
are particularly complicated, since
several layers of synthetic glass are
injected one on top of the other.
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