Review of the Tour of the Transparent Factory (Die Glaserne Manufaktur) in Dresden, Germany

The Transparent Factory of Dresden, Germany, also known as Die Glaserne Manufaktur, is where Volkswagen Phaeton is assembled. Auto enthusiasts can take a guided tour of The Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany to see the Volkswagen Phaeton, a luxury class car, come to being. I took this tour and recommend visiting The Transparent Factory when in Dresden, Germany. It employs some 200 assembly workers, 200 other Volkswagen staff, and 400 various support staff where hand crafting instead of primarily machine construction is stressed in the assembly.

Transparency and Eco-Friendliness Are the Philosophies of The Transparent Factory, a.k.a. Die Glaserne Manufaktur, in Dresden, Germany, Where the Volkswagen Phaeton Is Assembled

The philosophy of the automaker when it comes to producing this luxury car that's in the same class as the Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8, and BMW 7, is transparency. Visitors will know this right off the bat when they arrive at the The Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany, as the exterior of the building is greatly made up of glass (part of its 27,500 square meters total), where one can see many Volkswagen Phaeton automobiles either in the assembly or finished process.

Another aspect of the transparency is that this venue (which cost 186 million Euros and was completed in 2001 and began making the Volkswagen Phaeton in 2002) is that it hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year, including concerts and opera performances, and even fine dining isn't forgotten about here, The Lesage Bar and Restaurant establishment is where you can get a meal or drink to relax and refuel by.

As I took the tour, I noticed a sense of peacefulness and got good vibes from the atmosphere there, because the plans were laid to make The Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany very eco-friendly. First, given that only the assembly of the car is done here, there isn't any air pollution to speak of. And according to my tour guide, the assembly of the cars is done quietly where people can actually talk in normal voices (I toured on a Saturday afternoon when production wasn't going on), meaning there is a no noise pollution. Because the assembly area lighting of The Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany first hits mirrors then reflects to the work area, this non-direct lighting emanates less light pollution. Outside this Volkswagen Phaeton production center are beautiful gardens and greenery (it's on the edge of Grosser Garten). Bird voice imitators have been installed in front of one part of this plant and on the Vehicle Tower so birds will be tricked into thinking that birds are onsite; and thus, won't fly into the glass of the exterior, since they can't see glass.

The Fish Scale Production Line of The Transparent Factory (Die Glaserne Manufaktur) Is Very Efficient

During this factory tour, guests get to see 3 assembly lines that are located on 2 levels. Guests of this Dresden, Germany attraction start off in the lobby area, the only place they can take photographs besides outside. One assembly line is a hanging one, and two of the assembly lines are made up of rotating ovals on parquet flooring that look like fish scales to guide the Volkswagen Phaeton through each stage of assembly. Work teams made up of up to six workers complete 6-7 steps of the assembly process before starting again on another car. Working on parquet flooring is easier on the feet and legs than concrete.

The prefabricated parts are delivered from a warehouse located about 15 minutes by tram from a Dresden, Germany suburb. Each tram to The Transparent Factory holds enough parts for 6 cars. As a result, trains and trucks don't clog up inner city traffic so badly. The only major parts delivered by truck are the car bodies. The parts are contained in massive boxes that move along the assembly line using a driverless transport system that involves 60,000 magnets.

During the first part of the assembly at The Transparent Factory, each Volkswagen Phaeton goes through a "baptism" where the body of the car is given an identification number, has its doors taken off so they won't be scratched during interior and technical work, and has its main cable installed. My tour guide, named Julia Pojarova, who is fluent in English, German, Russian, and Italian, told me that the second assembly line is very exciting for the buyers, for the "marriage" takes place between the body and the engine along with the adding on of the wheels. The third assembly line puts the finishing touches on the Volkswagen Phaeton, where individual seats and the steering wheel are assembled onto the car. Buyers can actually put the latter on themselves! This assembly process takes roughly 3 working days to complete, and over the next 1-2 days, quality control testing is done on the car, which can include driving tests on the factory's own roads. Each automobile must pass through 25 meters of lighting which checks aspects of the Volkswagen Phaeton details such as its paint job. Medical endoscopy technology is used for searching for the most minute scratches inside the engines. After that is done, each Volkswagen Phaeton is stored in the Vehicle Tower until its new owner arrives.

More about The Transparent Factory (Die Glaserne Manufaktur) in Dresden, Germany, Home of Volkswagen Phaeton Production

An average of 28 Phaetons are made every day during the 42 weeks of production. They are made to order, and the waiting list is 2-3 months. The Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany does contain a special place for its customers to come and pick out various features for the car like choices of interior wood and leather, etc.

But all Volkswagen Phaetons come with automatic transmissions. But the customers can choose the engine they want. Some of the engines can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h (about 186 mph) and reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from zero in 6.1 seconds - that being the 450 horsepower W 12 engine (made up of two V 6 engines). The current base price for the Volkswagen Phaeton is from 65,000 - 120,000 Euros, based on engine, but not options, such as the "Magical Eye", which is in front of the engine inside the hood and monitors how close the car is to the automobile in front, adjusting speed accordingly for safety.

At the end of the tour, guests (like I did) get to see, touch and get inside an actual Volkswagen Phaeton made by The Transparent Factory. I got to feel what it was like being inside a car where I could adjust the driver's seat 18 different ways, and saw a button in the front seat where the car can be started as long as you have your key nearby. And I watched the back headrests adjust down based on my height when no one was using them. I opened the trunk just by touching the "VW" sign on the trunk and closed it with a button inside the trunk door.

There are also videos of the manufacturing process that you can watch as well as a seven minute concept film of the Volkswagen Phaeton at the Transparent Factory. That concept film shows inside a large white globe structure (Kugelhaus), which was installed there to honor the first globe house being built in 1928 in Dresden, Germany.

Here are some other interesting aspects of the Volkswagen Phaeton, made at The Transparent Factory: The platform of the car is common to the Bentley Continental GT and Bentley Continental Flying Spur and some of its transmission and internal combustion aspects are common with the Audi A8. Over 100 patents were created for this one car, and this year Volkswagen started re-selling this car in America. Despite the tough economy, 2008 was the best year for this Dresden, Germany produced car, according to my guide.

More Information about The Transparent Factory (Die Glaserne Manufaktur) in Dresden, Germany, Home of the Volkswagen Phaeton

The most a guest will currently pay for this roughly one hour tour is 4 Euros, and it's only 2 Euros for students, children, and seniors. It's definitely worth the money. Contact The Transparent Factory via this website for information regarding current open times of the factory and the bar/restaurant, directions, times for English guided tours (You can click the British flag for English). The address is Lennestrasse 1, 01069 Dresden, Germany. The phone number is +49 (0) 1805 - 896268 (subject to toll charge).

Dresden, Germany Hotel Recommendation

I stayed at the Pullman Dresden Newa, which is just a short walk from the main train station called Hauptbahnhof, and right in the midst of the pedestrian-only shopping area of the Prager Strasse. The rooms are quite chic but emanate a real sense of peace. I was captivated by being able to take my showers in the middle of the room in a glass enclosure (though there is a curtain for privacy). There's also plenty of plug-ins, too, for your laptop and other accessories. The workspace is cozy, too.

The beds are very comfortable and make it easier to get a good night's sleep that will help you feel energized for sightseeing around Dresden, Germany, including touring The Transparent Factory where the Volkswagen Phaeton is assembled to its completion.

You get great views of the city if you are on a high floor. As for the internet, there's a Connectivity Lounge next to the lobby that's 24/7 with 3 computers that have internet access and Microsoft Office programs that you can use for free (including printing). But if you want internet in your room, you'll pay steep charges by American standards. For example, half an hour's usage currently runs 3.95 Euros and 24 hours is currently 24.95 Euros. The good news is that the hotel rooms let you also option M3 Connect, which has access to several internet service providers like Boingo, Vodafone, and T-Mobile, to where if you have accounts with them (and depending on the type), you log in via M3 Connect and forgo paying hotel internet charges.

The fitness area is free to guests and is open 24/7, located in the Ginkgo area, which offers massages and other spa-like treatments for a fee. Onsite dining includes Le Boulevard - Easy Dining, which serves dishes inspired by the Mediterranean and Saxony.

Pullman Dresden Newa: Prager Strasse 2c, 01069 Dresden, Germany. Phone: 49-351-4814-0. Email: h1577@accor.com, Website is here.

Sources:

Guided tour of The Transparent Factory, Via Julia Pojarova, October 24, 2009

Volkswagen Phaeton: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Phaeton, Wikipedia

Volkwagen Phaeton website: www.phaeton.de (in German)