Porsche 2012 Annual Report Download - page 91

can manufacture different models of different
brands on a single production line. This signifi-
cantly increases Volkswagen’s flexibility when
planning how to adapt its plants.
The MQB was used by the Audi and
Volkswagen passenger car brands for the first time
for the roll-out of the new Audi A3 and the produc-
tion start of the new Golf. Another new develop-
ment, the Modular Production Toolkit (MPB), trans-
fers the modular concept from the vehicle to pro-
duction. Standardized facilities and operating
equipment are enhancing flexibility and profitability
in existing structures. The modular systems enable
the widest variety of models to be produced, in-
cluding with different drive types and wheelbases.
For example, multiple variants of the Golf can be
manufactured in a single working day on one pro-
duction line – the hatchback, the estate and the
Golf Plus.
Use of the MPB will deliver additional efficiency
gains when other models based on the MQB are
rolled out. For example, the factories in Foshan and
Puebla, which will also produce the Golf, will bene-
fit from the standardized, proven modules.
In engine manufacturing, production of a new
petrol engine and a new diesel engine family has
started as part of the launch of the MQB.
The Volkswagen group’s production system
The “Volkswagen Way” works agreements signed at
the end of 2007 laid the foundation stone for a long-
term process of change in the corporate culture and
a new common understanding at Volkswagen. The
goal is a holistic development process for the com-
pany on its way to becoming the leading automobile
manufacturer in the world.
With the “Volkswagen Way”, the Volkswagen
group aims to improve its efficiency, productivity,
quality, communication, cooperation, ergonomics
and teamwork. Volkswagen does this by perma-
nently avoiding waste and by perfecting work
methods. The focus is always on people. Thus,
workplaces and workflows are – directly and indi-
rectly – optimized in multiple steps using the CIP
cascade (Continuous Improvement Process). Us-
ing workshops and the active participation of
employees, the Volkswagen group has already
identified many solutions that have been further
developed to create product or process standards.
The group’s value-driven, synchronous production
system supplies the necessary methods and in-
struments for implementing the “Volkswagen
Way”, improving quality and adherence to sched-
ules while simultaneously reducing costs. Uniform
group standards and stable processes increase
productivity and shorten throughput times. Train-
ing is an important way to approach this. To estab-
lish the standards for the long term, employees
complete group-wide training on the CIP cascade
at lean and training centers. The logistics training
center at VOLKSWAGEN SLOVAKIA, which only
opened last year, has already won an award: the
“Lean & Green Efficiency Award 2012” was awarded
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