|
Volkswagen has started a new chapter in automotive history with the opening of its new Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany.
The opening ceremony, by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, also marked the start of production of Project D1, the new Volkswagen luxury class saloon that is to be launched in a few months.
Announced simultaneously in Dresden was the official name of the new vehicle which had become popularly known by its project name - Project D1. Volkswagen’s new luxury sedan will be called Phaeton – which from its origins in Greek mythology means “The Shining One” (Phaeton, the son of the sungod Helios, drove the sun carriage).
Located just 100 metres from the Dresden Botanical Gardens, Volkswagen’s magnificent new Transparent Factory benefits from a 6 million Euros ($A10.27 million) investment in its outdoor area (50,000 sq metres) to ensure it blends with the beauty of the ancient city.
Dresden’s municipal tram network plays an integral role for Volkswagen as specially developed tram cars (CarGoTram) are used to carry prefabricated parts from the Logistics Centre outside the city to the Transparent Factory. This shuttle service is environmentally friendly and does not create extra traffic congestion for the city.
The factory’s landmark is a glass tower almost 40 metres high and visible from a considerable distance in which finished vehicles will be stored ready for collection.
Opening the Transparent Factory, Dr Ferdinand Piech, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG said: “Our customers and guests will be able to see and experience detailed craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology here. The Volkswagen brand will add a new dimension to the emotional connection to a completely new product market segment in the luxury car class. Our activities will focus on the endeavour to honour a no-compromise quality pledge.”
Volkswagen has invested a total of 187 million Euros ($A320 million) in the Dresden facility since the foundation stone was laid in July 1999.
The idea of a brand new and truly unique automotive plant in the heart of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities was turned into reality by Gunter Henn, the group of architects responsible for Volkswagen’s similarly remarkable Autostadt complex which is part of the company’s worldwide headquarters in Wolfsburg.
Volkswagen’s Phaeton luxury class vehicle will be built behind 27,500 square metres of glazed facades in a production area covering 55,000 square metres. The glazed area and 24,000 square metres of parquetry floor create a light atmosphere which reflects the underlying philosophy of manufacture by meticulously executed assembly practices – in many cases by hand – as a complement to industrial production processes.
As Dr Folker Weissgerber, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG explained: “Such a high-tech product can’t simply be built using classic car manufacturing techniques. Precision craftsmanship is required. Furthermore, by making the processes visible we wanted to present the fascination of technology as a ‘staging’ of production and as an attraction for customers and visitors.”
At the heart of the new production line is a ‘Slat Belt’ – and all that it has in common with conventional conveyors is its phased movement according to assembly stage. The surface of the Slat Belt itself consists of 29 individual elements that are also fully lined with parquetry and carry the vehicles to be assembled.
Other features include an induction power supply and a new indirect lighting concept. All parts required for the assembly process accompany the corresponding vehicle in a ‘components basket.’
The plant has its own Events Area integrated within and features high tech displays to help visitors and customers to find out more about Volkswagen.
Phaeton customers will be encouraged to come to Dresden to see their car being built and will receive VIP treatment when they collect their finished product in a separate section of the Events Area.
Underlying the integration of Volkswagen’s unique new plant into the beautiful city of Dresden, the opening ceremony was accompanied by musical offerings from the famous Dresden Kreuzchor (choir) and the Dresden Staatskapelle (orchestra). Ute Selbig and Jochen Kupfer from the Semper Opera sang and a large orchestra played the overture composed by Andreas Goldmann and Thomas Berlin for the laying of the foundation stone for the first time.
The soloist trumpeter Rainer Bemman performed ‘Glasklar’, his piece composed for the topping-out ceremony. And the program was concluded by ‘Weltsicht’ performed by young dancers from the Palluca School and 60 boys from the Dresden Kreuzchor.
The Phaeton will be on sale in Australia during 2003.
|
