Audi is Europe's Top Employer

INGOLSTADT, Germany, April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Renewed top position in German graduates' rankings
• Most popular employer also in Hungary and Belgium
• Board of Management Member for HR Thomas Sigi: "The awards are evidence of the consistent implementation of our strategy of being an attractive employer worldwide."
• Audi Group: approximately 4,800 employees to be recruited worldwide in 2013

Picture is available via epa european pressphoto agency ( http://www.epa.eu/ ) and can be downloaded free of charge at: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/6730/audi-ag?keygroup=bild  

Audi is more popular as an employer than ever before. The company recorded its fourth win in succession in the renowned employer rankings of the research institutes Trendence and Universum^[*]and thus remains a top address for students in Germany. After Audi Hungaria was voted Hungary's most attractive company and Audi Brussels took first place in the Belgian "Employer of the Year" survey just a week ago, Audi has now gained excellent results also in Germany.

The brand with the four rings continues to be the most popular employer for graduates in engineering and business management. According to the latest Universum survey, every fourth German young engineer and nearly every fifth graduate in business management would like to start his or her career at Audi. "Once again this year, we are the Number One preferred employer amongst students. Our attractive working conditions and the excellent development opportunities in Germany and at our international sites appeal to future specialists and executives," stated Thomas Sigi, Board of Management Member for Human Resources and Labor Relations Director at AUDI AG. The company's production network will continue to grow - in the first half of this decade to 16 sites in 13 countries. Along its growth path, AUDI AG plans to recruit approximately 1,500 new employees in Germany alone. In addition, about another 700 young people will begin a traineeship or apprenticeship at Audi this year.

The attraction of the four rings is also reflected in the rising interest expressed by IT students, as well as graduates in natural sciences. Amongst the latter, Audi has moved up from thirteenth to sixth place according to the Universum survey. "Technological innovations such as piloted driving or the networking of cars with Audi Connect are recognized by young people and make Audi even more attractive," added Sigi. Audi is on its way to the corporate goal of being the "world's most attractive employer," explained Sigi. The company has gained international reputation also through its social activities and its sustainability. "We accept our social responsibility and strive to unite economic, ecological and social issues as well as possible. We are involved in numerous social projects and encourage voluntary work by our employees," continued Sigi.

The two sites in Brussels and Györ remained at the peak in their countries: AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. is now the "most attractive company" for the fifth time. That is the result of a survey by corporate consulting company Aon Hewitt and the international student organization AIESEC. 33,000 people were surveyed in Hungary, including 8,000 graduates of 25 polytechnic colleges and universities. For the first time, Audi has been voted "Employer of the Year 2013" in Belgium. This award is based on a poll of 9,000 young professionals and an assessment by a jury of experts. The survey is a project by the Internet platform Références/Vacature in collaboration with personnel consulting agency Acerta and the Vlerick Business School.

Worldwide, the Audi family is constantly growing: At the beginning of April, 70,023 people worked for the Audi Group with 50,652 of them being employed at the two German plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. currently employs 9,006 people and Audi Brussels 2,528 people. Internationally, Audi plans to recruit another 4,800 employees in 2013. The company has ambitious goals, but is well prepared: At the end of 2011, Audi initiated the biggest investment program in its history. By 2015, the company will invest an annual average of more than €3.5 billion in order to consistently pursue its growth path.

* Every year, Universum polls more than 23,000 students of 107 universities; the Trendence survey takes into account statements by 37,000 students of 130 universities.

Corporate Communications
Michaela Schnellhardt
Spokesperson HR and Social Affairs
Telephone: +49-841-89-34009
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.audi-mediaservices.com

SOURCE Audi AG