“Just look at me,” says 53-year-old Jürgen Nölte, laughing and pointing at his greying hair. His job is production group leader, heading two groups, each with a dozen employees. About half of them are “SilverLiners”, Audi employees over 40 years old who round off the otherwise very young team in the R8 assembly. “Of course the name SilverLine also alludes to our silvery hair,” says Dr. Horst Mann, Head of Health Services at Neckarsulm and one of the “drivers” of the Human Resources project in R8 production. Dr. Werner Widuckel, Member of the Audi Board of Management for Human Resources, on whose initiative this pilot project was first conceived: “In 5 years’ time, the average age of the Audi workforce will have increased by 5 to 45 years. We must therefore react to this right now in order to ensure that our staff remain employable and that we remain competitive. After all, the success of Audi is the success of our employees; they are our most prized asset."

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The new Audi R8 has made a flying start, with Audi customers being able to take possession of the company’s sporty top model since the start of June. 1.500 units of the 420 bhp mid-engined two-seater have already found their way to dealers and buyers. Craft-scale production of the R8 is now running at top speed in Neckarsulm: the maximum possible number of 20 vehicles is being produced per day.

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In front of 141,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) Mattias Ekström clinched a podium result for Audi in the "home race" at the Norisring despite a spoiled qualifying. The Swede in his Red Bull Audi A4 DTM fought his way forwards from seventh position on the grid to third place. In the DTM’s overall standings, Ekström as the runner-up lies merely 1.5 points behind title defender Bernd Schneider. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline is the front runner in the team standings at the season’s midpoint.

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Audi has been officially recognised this week as the manufacturer of the widest range of cars offering five star security protection. In the British Insurance Car Security Awards the Vorsprung durch Technik brand was honoured by experts at Thatcham’s Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre with the overall Manufacturer Award for its commitment to car security.

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Visitors to this year’s Design Annual can look forward to a European premiere: the Audi Cross Coupé quattro study is being presented for the first time since its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show 2007. Combining the design and dynamism of a compact premium sports car with the spaciousness and versatility of a four-seater sport utility vehicle, this car defines a new segment in the field of crossover vehicles.

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Business class high-fliers from the increasingly sought-after Audi range will be joined at next week’s Millbrook-based Company Car in Action event by two of the brand’s most aspirational sports models – the breathtaking RS 4 quattro high performance saloon and the unanimously acclaimed R8 sports car.

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Individuality breeds content for the increasingly high proportion of Audi drivers wanting maximum scope for personalisation of their chosen model, and to meet this growing desire for ‘made-to-measure’ motoring the Vorsprung durch Technik brand is expanding its choice of bespoke trim options. The TT, with its new range of distinctive exclusive line interior colour schemes, is the latest to benefit. The new four-colour exclusive line option for TT Coupé and Roadster models complements the full-scale Audi exclusive programme already providing buyers with over 30,000 exterior colour choices and virtually limitless opportunity for exclusivity in the cabin.

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Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason will be on the grid for Audi Tradition at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. A member of possibly the greatest rock band of all time, Mason will be driving an Auto Union Type C dating from 1936, perhaps the brightest star in Audi Tradition’s collection. Thomas Frank, Head of AUDI AG’s heritage division, is delighted: “We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have secured Nick Mason to represent us at the world’s most important festival for historical racing cars.”

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When two of the most successful in their field get together, the result is a partnership of a special kind. Besides giving concerts all around the world, the British soul singer Seal tours the world as an Audi ambassador, representing the brand with the four rings. "His amazing career is an unparalleled success story, characterised by extraordinary ambition, creativity and fantastic music. I am particularly pleased that Seal approached us with the proposal of entering into a partnership." Ralph Weyler, Board Member for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG, can hardly hide his excitement about working alongside the exceptional English musician who has such an impressive record. Seal has sold more than 15 million albums since he launched his career in 1990. In the same period, Audi has sold more than 10 million cars – successful statistics from a successful duo, statistics to be proud of.

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Audi of America, Inc. announced today that the RS 4 Cabriolet model will come to U.S. showrooms as a 2008 model, and the RS 4 sedan will have new features and option packages. Approximately 300 of the limited-production RS 4 Cabriolets will be sold in the U.S. The RS 4 Cabriolet models will arrive in fall of 2007. Pricing and equipment for the 2008 RS 4 Cabriolet will be announced at a later date.

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