Company overview
Auto Union AG was formed in 1932 as a merger of four German automobile manufacturers: Zschopauer Motorenwerke (DKW), Horch, Audi, and Wanderer. Initially, it operated as a single company under the leadership of Klaus von Oertzen and focused on racing development, culminating in the Silver Arrows program during World War II. These racing cars achieved significant success and set numerous speed records. Following the war, Auto Union was re-established in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, and evolved into Audi AG through a takeover by Volkswagen in 1964 and later merger with NSU Motorenwerke. Auto Union GmbH, the current corporate entity, was founded in 1985 to manage Audi's historical trademarks and heritage operations. The company’s logo, representing the original four brands, remains a key element of Audi's branding. During World War II, Auto Union supplied vehicles to the German armed forces and operated a subsidiary for Junkers engine production. After the war, its facilities in Zwickau were dismantled and assets liquidated under Soviet control. A new Auto Union company was subsequently founded in 1949, initially focusing on DKW production and later becoming part of the Volkswagen Group.
