Over 250 guests from the worlds of politics and business attended the official inauguration of the new production plant. Minister Müller commended AUDI AG's innovative prowess and its decision to invest in this location. "The A2 model series is our vision of progressive mobility in the 21st century", declared the Chairman of the Board of Management, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, describing this as an Audi that appeals to the heart and the head in equal measure.
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Audi A2 production line

Photo: Audi AG

"The A2 is the pride of the Neckarsulm workforce, who are again able to demonstrate their particular expertise and efficiency on the third model series to be built in Neckarsulm, alongside the Audi A6 and Audi A8", commented Plant Manager Otto Lindner. "The Audi A2 makes the plant even less susceptible to fluctuations in the economy and in model life-cycles, so it goes a long way towards safeguarding jobs in the region", stressed Theo Schirmer, Chairman of the Works Council.

With the appearance of the A2, Audi is celebrating several world "firsts" in automotive engineering: entirely new or modified techniques, procedures, tools and production methods had to be developed for the first volume-built aluminium body. The degree of automation in the production of aluminium vehicle bodies had to be increased. The A2 body was developed at the Neckarsulm Aluminium Centre, which was established five years ago. Valuable experience in the use of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) has already been acquired through the Audi A8.

The second-generation ASF comprises fewer, but larger, components. It consists predominantly of profiles and multifunctional large castings. A single-section side panel frame made from aluminium is also used for the first time in the car industry. Another new feature are the joining techniques, which involve a high degree of automation in volume production. Over 30 metres of seams are laser-welded on the A2, for example. Other features of the assembly line that are of particular interest include the use of modular techniques, and the integrated checking zones. With body production and assembly housed together in the same building, communication distances have been significantly reduced.

By the time of the A2 series' market launch next year, there will be a spark-ignition and a TDI engine version, both developing 55 kW (75 bhp). The A2 version being unveiled today in Neckarsulm, capable of covering 100 km on less than 3 litres of fuel, has a 1.2 litre three-cylinder TDI engine with an output of 45 kW (61 bhp). The Audi A2 1.2 TDI is distinguished from the other A2 models by its even lower weight and optimized aerodynamics, evident on the outside from the resistance-optimized wheels and wheel arches.

There's one catch: The company is waiting on the U.S. Congress to pass a package of $3,000 in tax incentives that would make the hybrid SUV competitive costwise with its conventional gas-powered counterparts.

Dodge Durango Hybrid

Photo: DaimlerChrysler

The Dodge Durango hybrid is really the concept vehicle Chrysler Citadel powertrain philosophy adapted to an SUV. The hybrid Durango combines two separate propulsion systems: a 3.9-liter, V-6 engine with automatic transmission that powers the rear wheels, and a three-phase, AC induction electric motor that drives the front wheels. The electric motor assists the gasoline engine during acceleration, and recaptures energy normally lost during deceleration.  The combination provides the power, acceleration and performance of a conventional V-8 engine. In fact, it is quicker than a 5.9-liter V-8-powered Durango from 0-60 miles per hour.

The hybrid powertrain yields a 20 percent increase in fuel economy, achieving 18.6 miles per gallon combined city/highway, compared with 15.5 miles per gallon for the conventional V-8 Durango. The application of fuel-saving hybrid technology in a popular sport utility vehicle results in greater overall savings in fuel consumption than the same technology applied to a smaller passenger car.

The Durango hybrid builds on DaimlerChrysler's research and development in earlier projects, including the Dodge Intrepid ESX series hybrid, which includes an aluminum body to reduce weight, the Dodge Intrepid ESX2 mybrid (mild hybrid), and the Chrysler Citadel, the concept vehicle which was the first to implement DaimlerChrysler's patented through-the- road technology.

With the performance provided by the gas-electric hybrid, the Durango can be adapted for the U.S. and European markets to meet consumers' differing demands for fuel economy, lower emissions and performance. However, it is crucial that tax incentives currently being considered by the U.S. Congress also be put in place. These incentives - up to $2,000 for use of a vehicle with a non-engine power source and up to $1,000 per vehicle with regenerative braking - would make the hybrid Durango competitive costwise with the conventional gas-powered Durango.

Like the entire Latin American area, Argentina belongs to BMW's American Sales Region under the management of Tom Purves and based in Woodcliff Lake/New Jersey. The BMW Group is already fully integrated in this region with a car production plant in Spartanburg/USA, sales subsidiaries in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, and CKD production plants in Brazil and Mexico.

Total sales of the BMW Group in 1998 amounted to more than 1.2 million vehicles of all Group brands. Approximately 180,000, that is nearly 15 per cent, were sold in BMW's American Sales Region - 160,000 in the USA and Canada, the rest in Latin America.

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