View source for Volkswagen Slovakia

[[File:Hlavná Brána, VW2.jpg|thumb|Main entrance, VW2]]
[[File:BAZ MNA.JPG|thumb|Prototype BAZ MNA]]
[[File:BAZ 743 Locusta.JPG|thumb|Prototype BAZ Locusta 3-door coupé]]

The '''Volkswagen Bratislava Plant''' is an automotive factory and co-located test track owned by [[Volkswagen Group]] in [[Bratislava]], [[Slovakia]].

==History==
Funded by the ruling [[Communist Party of Czechoslovakia|Communist Party]] to expand car production across [[Czechoslovakia]], it agreed a partnership in 1969 with Italian automaker [[Alfa Romeo]], but the proposed new model was never developed beyond the clay mock-up.

On 1 July 1971, '''Bratislavské Automobilové Závody (BAZ)''' was founded, sub-contracted to produce [[Škoda Auto]] models, but with all pressings and parts supplied by the [[Czech Republic|Czech-based]] partner. The factory built the [[Mladá Boleslav]]-designed 731 (saloon) and 732 (station wagon) prototypes, as well as other BAZ marketed small (MNA) and medium-sized trucks (SNA).{{cn|date=October 2024}} Later vehicles developed included the front-engined, 3-door Locusta coupé prototype.

After developing a partnership with [[Tatra (company)|Tatra]], the company also produced military vehicles, including the popular [[Praga V3S]].

BAZ vehicle production ended in 1982, when the production of the [[Škoda Garde/Rapid]] was started, with the resultant development of the factory spurring the construction of new apartment blocks in the borough of [[Devínska Nová Ves]]. However, parts supply from the parent plant in the Czech Republic was slow, resulting often in a number of part-finished vehicles being held in storage, often awaiting singular parts. The factory later produced the [[Škoda Garde/Rapid|Škoda Rapid 130/135/136]], as well as a variety of parts for other car manufacturers in Czechoslovakia.

Some prototypes from BAZ can be seen in Museum of Transport in Bratislava.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.muzeumdopravy.com/galeria.html|title = Múzeum dopravy Bratislava}}</ref>

===Volkswagen Group===
After the fall of the [[Iron Curtain]], in May 1991 Volkswagen Group bought an 80% share of BAZ. Škoda production continued, and was expanded to include other models within the VW Group portfolio, initially the [[Volkswagen Passat]]. In 1998 Volkswagen Group bought out the remaining company shares, and renamed the company '''Volkswagen Slovakia'''. Volkswagen then bought the remaining shares in Škoda Auto in 2000.

Since VW developed their [[Volkswagen Group PL71 platform|large SUV platform]], the factory has become a specialist producer of all VW Group marques large SUVs, which presently include the [[Audi Q7]], the [[Audi Q8]] and the [[Volkswagen Touareg]],<ref name=VWFact/><ref>{{cite web|first=Christian | last = Steinert |url=http://www.germancarblog.com/2006/08/audi-new-sales-division-in-china.html |title=Audi: New sales division in China | work =The German Car Blog |date=2006-08-22 |access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/10603277456/audi-q7-production-in-full-swing|title=Audi Production in Ultramodern Bratislava Plant|access-date=2010-06-17|work=worldcarfans.com}}</ref> and the co-designed [[Porsche Cayenne]] which is based on the same platform.<ref name=VWFact/><ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Jeffrey|title=VW Bratislava expands production|url=http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/7923|work=Central Europe Automotive Report|publisher=The Slovak Spectator|date=27 August 1997|access-date=26 August 2009}}</ref> It is also the only VW Group factory to produce the [[Volkswagen Golf|Golf]] [[4motion|Syncro]] [[four-wheel drive]]. Since December 2011 the factory has produced the [[Volkswagen Up]], as well as its badge-engineered [[SEAT Mii]] and [[Škoda Citigo]] siblings for European markets.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Small Family product decision for Bratislava, April 2009|url=http://de.volkswagen.sk/de/unsere_produkte/new_small_family.html|work=volkswagen.sk|publisher=[[Volkswagen AG]]|access-date=2011-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105051613/http://de.volkswagen.sk/de/unsere_produkte/new_small_family.html|archive-date=2012-01-05}}</ref>

==Operations==
The factory area of the plant currently covers an area of {{convert|1780058|m2}}. Bodies are assembled and welded in one of two body shops, and then painted with one of 26 standard colours in the paint shop. The co-located Aggregate/Modules hall produces gearboxes for both on-site consumption and various models of the VW Group brands. The bodies are moved to the assembly hall, which covers an area equivalent to 21 [[football pitch]]es, where the painted body is mated with the pre-assembled under-body and chassis. The VW Group and Porsche models then split.

The Audi Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg and Up! variants are completed by installing the finishing components including wiring, wheels, seats and the steering wheel.<ref name=VWFact>{{cite web|url=http://en.volkswagen.sk/en/Company/plants.html|title=Our factories|publisher=Volkswagen Slovakia|access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref> The final assembled SUV is then transported via [[Aerial lift|cable car]] to the co-located test track for a final on-road test. If the car then passes a further inspection, it is prepared for dealer delivery.<ref name=VWFact/>
Since 2016, the Bentley Bentayga has also been produced at Bratislava.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pursuingwo.com/bentley-bentayga-bodies-to-be-build-alongside-its-cousins/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505082204/http://pursuingwo.com/bentley-bentayga-bodies-to-be-build-alongside-its-cousins/|archive-date=5 May 2015|title=Bentley Bentayga Bodies To Be Built Alongside Its Cousins| work=Pursuing W.O|access-date=4 May 2015}}</ref>

===Logistics===
[[DHL]] handle all shipping and distribution arrangements from the site, via railway (70%) or road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spectator.sme.sk/articles/view/46005/23/vw_in_bratislava_shifts_cars_by_rail.html|title=VW in Bratislava shifts cars by rail|publisher=Spectator magazine, Slovakia|date=9 April 2012|access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref> Aside from on-site body pressings, gearbox production, and various under-body and drive train components sourced from the [[Martin, Slovakia|Martin plant]]; 90% of parts are delivered to site from Volkswagen's component consolidation centre in [[Wolfsburg]], Germany, shipped directly to site via 10 daily trains.<ref>{{cite book|title=Foreign Direct Investment And Regional Development In East Central Europe|first1=Francis | last1 = Frank Carter | first2=David | last2 = Turnock }}</ref>

First and second generation Porsche Cayenne models were sent direct to shipping once the body had been mated with under body. They were then shipped directly by rail to the Porsche factory in [[Leipzig]], [[Germany]], where interior fitting out, finishing and inspection were completed. Third generation Porsche Cayenne are being completely produced, and finished directly in Bratislava.

==Production==
{{Multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width =
| image1 = 2018 Volkswagen Touareg V6 R-Line TDi Automatic 3.0 Front.jpg
| caption1 = [[Volkswagen Touareg]] is produced at the Volkswagen plant in [[Bratislava]].
| image2 = 2018 Audi Q7 (4M MY18) 3.0 TDI quattro wagon (2018-11-02).jpg
| caption2 =[[Audi Q7]] is produced at the Volkswagen plant in [[Bratislava]].
| image3 = Porsche Cayenne, IAA 2017 (1Y7A2256).jpg
| caption3 = The [[Porsche Cayenne]], assembled at the Volkswagen plant in [[Bratislava]].
}}

*Current models:
**[[Audi Q7]] (2005–present)
**[[Audi Q8]] (2018–present)
**[[Porsche Cayenne]] (2002–present)
**[[Porsche Cayenne|Porsche Cayenne Coupé]] (2019−present)
**[[Volkswagen Touareg]] (2002–present)
**[[Škoda Superb]] (2023–present)
**[[Volkswagen Passat]] (2023–present)
*Past models:
**[[Škoda Karoq]] (2020–2023)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-26 |title=Bratislavský Volkswagen odštartoval výrobu ďalšej Škody |url=https://auto.sme.sk/c/22517339/vyroba-skody-karoq-sa-zacala-aj-v-bratislave.html |access-date=2021-01-12 |work=Auto SME |language=sk}}</ref>
**[[Volkswagen Up]] (2011–2023)
**[[SEAT Mii]] (2011−2021)
**[[Škoda Citigo]] (2011−2020)
**[[SEAT Ibiza#6L|SEAT Ibiza (6L)]] (2003−2005)
**[[Škoda Octavia]] (2008–2010)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ekonomika.pravda.sk/ludia/clanok/193172-skoda-octavia-konci-s-vyrobou-v-bratislave/|title = Škoda Octavia končí s výrobou v Bratislave|date = 7 May 2010}}</ref>
**[[Volkswagen Polo]] (1999−2007)
**[[Volkswagen Golf]] (1994−2005)
**[[Volkswagen Bora]]
**[[Volkswagen Passat]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
[http://en.volkswagen.sk/en/Company/plants.html VW Factories, Slovakia]
{{Volkswagen Group brands}}
{{VW}}
{{Coord|48.234135|N|16.98791|E|format=dms|type:landmark_region:SK-BL|name=Volkswagen Bratislava|display=title}}
{{Automotive industry in Slovakia}}
[[Category:1971 establishments in Slovakia]]
[[Category:Volkswagen Group factories|Bratislava]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bratislava]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle assembly plants in Slovakia]]
[https://www.instagram.com/volkswagen_slovakia Instagram]