German automaker Audi is set to invest 11.6 billion euros ($15.5 billion) in the next five years, primarily in new products and technologies and also plans to hire about 1,200 skilled employees in 2011.

Five billion euros is earmarked for investment at the German sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, a statement from the company said.

“Innovation requires people,” said Thomas Sigi, member of the Audi board of management for human resources.

“For this reason, we want to hire around 1,200 experts in 2011 who will primarily bolster our electromobility and lightweight construction fields of competence, as well as the implementation of our growth strategy.”

During 2010 Audi recruited about 500 experts and 780 trainees who began their vocational training in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

From 2011 to 2015 the company plans to invest about 11.6 billion euros, making this the biggest investment programme in the company’s history.

“With this investment, we are laying the foundation for sustained, profitable growth, and supporting our claim to leadership in the premium car segment,” said Axel Strotbek, board member for finance and organization of Audi.

About 80 per cent of all investment – more than 9.5 billion euros – will go to developing new products and to technologies of the future such as electric and hybrid drive systems.
One example is the Audi R8 e-tron, the first electric sports car from Audi, which the company wants to begin selling in late 2012.

The company will introduce new models in 2011, including the new Audi A6 and the Audi Q5 Hybrid, the first full hybrid from the carmaker. In launching the new Audi Q3, which is manufactured in Martorell, Spain, Audi is occupying the midsize premium SUV segment for the first time.

“In addition to our foreign sites, the German sites will also profit greatly from Audi’s good worldwide prospects for growth, especially in China,” Strotbek said. – TradeArabia News Service