CARMAKER Volkswagen (VW) Slovakia expected its final production figures to reach more than 200,000 cars this year, and to increase to 220,000 vehicles in 2006, the SITA news agency wrote.
"The Bratislava plant has already produced as much as 280,000 cars annually. This year's drop was caused by preparations for the production of the [off-road] Audi Q7 model, which we had to integrate into our existing operations," said Thomas Schmall, head of the company's board of directors.
Schmall added that the planned launch of Audi Q7 production should boost export sales by 23 to 25 percent next year.
The company will launch the Q7 on the market at the beginning of next year while the plant should be in full production at the beginning of the second quarter of 2006.
Currently Volkswagen Slovakia generates almost 20 percent of the country's exports. VW Slovakia has 8,850 employees.
Compiled by Martina Jurinová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
