Dr. Winterkorn had spoken in favour of a new engine production site in Hungary as early as the planning phase at the start of the 1990s. Once the engine plant in Gy_r was successfully up and running, major investments were made in areas such as continuous expansion of the engine range, the setting-up of the vehicle assembly lines for the Audi TT Coupé and Roadster sports cars, the realisation of the Engine Development Centre, production planning and tool-making. The new Audi TT will also be assembled in Gy_r. Furthermore, Dr. Winterkorn initiated the partnership with Hungarian universities. He has been involved at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics for several years as an honorary professor.

“I am convinced that it is of special importance to convey values and principles such as quality, progressiveness and sophistication to the students, as well as transferring expertise. In this way we can contribute to the training of competent young engineers in Hungary’s automotive industry,” said Winterkorn.

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Martin Winterkorn (58) began his career at Audi in 1981 as assistant to the Member of the Board for Quality Assurance. Two years later he assumed responsibility for the “Measuring Technology/Sampling and Test Laboratory” at Audi. At the beginning of 1988 he was made departmental head of “Central Quality Assurance” and in 1990 Head of Audi Quality Assurance.

In 1993 Winterkorn became Head of “Group Quality Assurance” at Volkswagen AG and was appointed General Manager of Volkswagen AG with power of attorney in March 1994. He was additionally responsible for VW Group Product Management from June 1995. In January 1996 Winterkorn took over as Member of the Brand Board of Management for “Technical Development” at the Volkswagen brand. From July 2000 he was Member of the VW Group Board of Management for “Research and Development”.

Winterkorn has been Chairman of the AUDI AG Board of Management since 1st March 2002. He heads the Audi brand group, comprising the brands Audi, SEAT and Lamborghini, which was formed on 1st January 2002. In addition, Winterkorn assumed responsibility for the Technical Development Division of AUDI AG with effect from 1st January 2003. In his capacity as Chairman of the AUDI AG Board of Management, Winterkorn is a Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

In 2003 Winterkorn was awarded the title of Honorary Professor by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. On 1st August 2004 he was appointed Honorary Professor of Dresden University of Technology in the specialist area of “Lightweight materials in automotive construction”. The Winterkorn family is originally from Hungary.

AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., a fully owned subsidiary of AUDI AG and based in Gy_r, has been one of the principal engine suppliers for the Audi and Volkswagen Groups for thirteen years. In addition to this, the Audi TT Coupé and TT Roadster sports cars are assembled there. Audi Hungaria has been Hungary’s biggest exporter and one of the country’s highest-revenue companies for years.

Audi TT