“Just as we have done in the last three decades of our company’s existence, we successfully closed the year 2022. External factors, such as the aftermath of the pandemic or the energy and raw material supply problems, have presented our company with unprecedented challenges. However, our high production volumes clearly demonstrate that we are able to perform well even under difficult circumstances, thanks to the flexibility, expertise and many years of experience of our colleagues. We continue to deliver on our Next Level strategy. In 2023, we will reach new milestones in digitalization, electromobility and sustainability, and continue to develop our business model, especially in the Shared Competence Center (SCC). In 2023, we will show again what great things the team of Audi Hungaria is capable of,” said Alfons Dintner, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi Hungaria Zrt.

In 2022, a total of 171,134 Audi models (including cars for the Brazilian SKD production) rolled off the production lines at the brand with the four rings, a record performance for Audi Hungaria. Audi Q3 models were produced in the highest number, with 98,665 units. In addition, 64,343 Q3 Sportback, 6,291 TT Coupé and 1,835 TT Roadster models were also produced in Győr. Of the Q3 and Q3 Sportback models with electric powertrains, 21,466 plug-in hybrid and 25,181 mild hybrid models were produced in 2022.

As the world’s largest powertrain manufacturer, Audi Hungaria manufactured a total of 1,677,545 powertrains last year, including 108,097 electric powertrains. The company also produced 221,141 three-cylinder, 684,018 four-cylinder petrol and 293,667 diesel engines. During the previous year, of five‑cylinder Otto engines, a total of 21,745, while of six-cylinder engines, 265,857 petrol and 77,931 diesel engines were produced. In addition, Audi Hungaria also manufactured 5,089 ten-cylinder engines.

Audi Hungaria had 11,957 employees as at December 31, 2022.

The 2023 Dakar Rally surprised the participants with great hardship and caused a lot of turbulence in the classification. Stony tracks after the prologue led to 14 punctures on four consecutive legs starting on New Year’s Day in Team Audi Sport, spread across all three Audi RS Q e-tron cars. Sections with camel grass imposed heavy compressions and thus high loads on the rally cars and their crews on the fifth stage. And finally, rain not only caused unexpectedly hard sand but forced a route change. Due to a flooded bivouac site, the organizers inserted a half-marathon stage with a modified route and limited service before the rest day on January 9.

“The strong numbers for the all-electric models show us that our clear focus on electric mobility is the right path,” says Hildegard Wortmann, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG. Overall, Audi delivered 118,196 electric models to customers last year, which is 44.3 percent more than in 2021.

The high demand for the all-electric models Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi e-tron GT quattro, and Audi e-tron affirms the company’s clear decision in favor of an all-electric future and will increase Audi’s momentum on its path toward becoming a sustainable premium mobility supplier. A new model is already waiting in the wings: the new Audi Q8 e-tron is continuing the Audi e-tron’s success story as an electric pioneer. The model has already received many preorders ahead of its market launch in the spring of 2023. Starting in 2026, Audi will only introduce all-electric cars to the global market.

“In a challenging and dynamic environment, our global team once again proved its resilience in 2022,” says Hildegard Wortmann. “Thanks to extraordinary team spirit, operational excellence and effective sales control, we were able to close out the business year successfully.”

Alongside the all-electric models, the Audi A3 (+12.1 percent), Audi A4 (+8.0 percent), and Audi Q5 (+2.7 percent) saw particularly large increases within the overall portfolio. Audi Sport also had a special year in 2022: deliveries of 45,515 high performance cars mean a new record and an increase of 15.6% year-over-year.

With 624,498 cars delivered in Europe, Audi was able to increase sales by 1.2 percent over 2021. All-electric models saw increased demand here as well, particularly the Audi Q4 e-tron (+99.4 percent), Audi e-tron GT (+29.2 percent), and the Audi e-tron (+8.5 percent). Audi Sport contributed to the strong result with a record of 29.417 vehicles delivered in Europe (+30.8 percent). In total, sales were higher 29 European markets year-over-year.

Mr. Fehlberger, you’re 40 years old and have been driving RS models for 20 years, right now an RS 6 Avant. Why the brand loyalty?

Andreas Fehlberger: It started with an experience I had while I was doing my training. My boss let me drive his RS 4, and I was hooked. I’ve always liked station wagons, and the RS 6 is a car that’s perfect for every situation. I often use it to do bulk shopping. Besides that, I always wanted to have something special, not a small car or an off-the-shelf color. I bought my first RS in 2002, a B5-generation RS 4 in Daytona Gray Pearl Effect. After that I had two RS 5s, one in metallic Suzuka Gray and one in metallic Ipanema Brown. Finally, I ended up with the RS 6, a C7 in metallic Austin Yellow. Right now I’m driving a current C8-generation RS 6 in Berry Pearl Effect.

You’re obviously a fan of custom paint jobs. That aside, what’s your take on the current design language for the RS 6 Avant?

Fehlberger: It’s exactly the right way to go. If it were up to me, the RS 6 would look even sharper. The C7 was a bit more daring from the outside, and the C8, with its even fatter cheeks, carbon package and 22-inch tires, which I drive winter and summer, is exactly my car. To me, small wheels are a make-or-break criterion [laughs].

Over the years, output has risen steadily in almost all segments, and your RS 6 Avant has a whopping 600 PS. Is that in keeping with the times?

Fehlberger: We could debate this for hours, I’m sure. I appreciate the output when I need it, but of course I don’t always push things to the limit; most of the time I drive rather comfortably. Then there’s the fuel aspect, which is also a big issue at the moment, especially when a liter costs more than two euros. On average, eleven or twelve liters will take me about 100 kilometers. Now and then, I’ll manage to do it in under ten when I’m driving in efficiency mode.

Do you ever hit the racetrack?

Fehlberger: No, never of my own accord. I was in Italy recently – I like to drive up and down the mountain passes there. But I drive mainly for the enjoyment of it. To me, it’s important to know how to control a car that has an output like this. That’s why I take part in training sessions on the racetrack when the opportunity arises.

Let’s look a few years into the future. Would you drive a partially electric RS 6 Avant?

Fehlberger: Let me put it this way: I’m not against it, but it has to look and feel right, on a par with my RS 6. I don’t see myself driving an all-electric car yet.

Back to your RS 6 Avant. Is it your only car? 

Fehlberger: Yes, because all I need is my RS 6 – even on Saturdays and Sundays, I always hop into my RS. Like I said, to me the car is the perfect all-rounder, a Jack of all trades, so to speak. Limitless power, space for the whole family, and it looks amazing. The quattro all-wheel drive was another important criterion for me. If the car had rear-wheel drive, I would have bought something else. The RS ceramic brake system is an absolute must-have. Then there is the laser light and rear lights, which always fascinate me, especially the way the light reacts when I lock or unlock the car. But I’m also a big fan of the Bang and Olufsen sound system.

How does your environment react to the RS 6 Avant?

Fehlberger: Last year in Munich, a biker chased me for a while and asked me at a red light if he could take a few pictures. It was probably because of the color, the huge wheels, or the car’s overall stately appearance. But maybe it was also because the car simply goes down well in Germany, the world Capital of station wagons.

Is there anything you miss about your RS 6 Avant that you might expect from its successor?

Fehlberger: I should have treated myself to the massage seats and maybe a little more sound [laughs]. I’d be happy if the next RS 6 would focus more on lighting with OLEDs.