DRESDEN (dpa) – What is the essential difference between a luxury car and a top-of-the-range production model? The hands of the craftsman who worked on it.
While series models are produced on automated production lines, exclusive luxury limousines such as the Mercedes Maybach or the first Rolls-Royce to be produced under BMW aegis, will be lovingly crafted by expert hands.
The best example of this new philosophy can be seen at the so- called “Glass Factory” currently being built by German car giant Volkswagen in Dresden, eastern Germany. Production of the luxury new VW codenamed D1 will begin at the end of this year.
VW is also considering producing a sports utility, as well as a powerful sports car and perhaps even versions of the first new- generation Bugatti at the plant.
All these exclusive models will take shape in front of customers’ eyes. People will be able to follow the progress of their exclusive new vehicle through giant glass facades. While the car bodywork will be made using high-tech methods, the interiors will be hand-crafted, said VW spokesman Peter Schlelein.
Fellow German manufacturer Mercedes has similar plans for the Maybach, which will go into production in a year’s time. The big brother of the S-Class series model, which will cost twice the price, will be made at a special factory under construction at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen plant complex. Here the Maybach will be crafted to perfection in classic style, using exclusive materials to give it “automobile personality”, said spokesman Florian Moser.
The return to hand craftsmanship is not just a marketing instrument. It would be impossible to mass produce the Maybach because each car has to be individually fashioned to customer requirements and will be a unique vehicle. While an S-Class limousine can be put together in around 20 net working hours, a lot more time will be have to go into each Maybach.
German manufacturer BMW is also rethinking its production methods for the first Rolls-Royce to be built under its auspices and due to roll onto the road at the end of next year. Like VW in Dresden, BMW is also planning plenty of glass panels for the a new factory in Goodwood, England.
The architects are considering underground assembly halls with glass ceilings through which customers will be able to watch their luxury vehicles being made. They will see more workers than machines – the traditional car will be made predominantly by hand to maintain the legendary aura of craftsmanship.
BMW already has some experience of such working methods with its Z8 sports car, which was produced largely off the production line.
The Rolls-Royce and Bentley plant in Crewe, England, is serving as an unofficial role model for the new exclusive German models. Rolls- Royce has never abandoned hand-made production methods throughout its 100-year history. The company says it currently spends around 700 working hours producing the Silver Seraph model.
No doubt this would make the time and motion experts wince but Rolls-Royce in Crewe claims it leaves customers will the lasting impression that their money has been well spent.
