AUDI AG has been producing the Audi A1 in Brussels for nearly one year. The 100,000th car has now rolled off the assembly line. To mark the occasion, King Albert II of Belgium visited the site in the Forest district of Brussels. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and Gerhard Schneider, General Director for Technology and Logistics and management spokesman of Audi Brussels, led the King through the tradition-steeped plant, which Audi acquired and restructured four years ago. In addition, Benoît Cerexhe, Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for the Economy, Employment, Scientific Research and Foreign Trade, officially opened the visitor’s route through the A1 production facility.

“We are very honored that the King of Belgium has taken such a great interest in Audi and that he has visited our plant,” says Rupert Stadler. “The Forest site has been part of the Audi family – and the Company’s success story – for four years now. With the Audi A1, Audi Brussels is making a major contribution to the dynamic growth of our brand.”

Audi has invested roughly €300 million to bring the plant up to the state of the art since its acquisition in 2007. “We invested heavily over the last four years, including in an ultra-modern body shop, in an assembly plant oriented on ergonomics and efficiency and in the continuing education of our employees,” says Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Administration of AUDI BRUSSELS S.A./N.V. “All of that supports our claim of top product quality and makes Audi fit for the future.”

When restructuring the plant, Audi also devoted particular attention to ergonomic workplaces and optimal working conditions. “We take the well-being of our employees to heart. You can only produce high-quality products if you have a motivated and satisfied team,” says Gerhard Schneider, General Director for Technology and Logistics and management spokesman of Audi Brussels. The comprehensive modernization measures include a new company restaurant and a new health care facility where the employees can go for the Audi Checkup, a special preventive care program available to all staff members.

At the end of January of this year, Audi Brussels took on roughly 200 temporary workers as permanent employees. The Belgian Audi plant now employs 2,400 workers, all of whom were immortalized by signing the milestone A1.

Another highlight of the royal visit: Benoît Cerexhe, Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for the Economy, Employment, Scientific Research and Foreign Trade, officially opened the new visitor’s route through the A1 production facility. Interested visitors can now get a behind-the-scenes look at Audi Brussels and experience the creation process of the Audi A1 up close. Two-hour tours are offered each work day in French, Dutch, English and German. The online booking service can be found at www.audibrussels.com.