Company overview
Eisenacher Motorenwerk (EMW) was a German manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles located in Eisenach. The company began operations in 1945, initially utilizing a former BMW factory that had been occupied by American forces. Following World War II, the plant was transferred to Soviet control and initially produced goods such as cooking pots. Workers restarted automobile production using prewar designs and existing parts. In 1948, the factory began producing vehicles under the BMW brand, but changed its name to EMW in 1952 due to a legal dispute. The logotype also changed, using red instead of blue. Production was initially for Soviet and government use before expanding to include civilian sales and exports. The factory later became VEB Automobilwerk Eisenach, where the Wartburg automobile was produced. Motorcycle production ceased in the 1950s and was replaced by the AWO 425 manufactured at Simson in Suhl.
