Today, 112 years ago, an iconic brand with four grille rings was created – Vorsprung durch Technik.
On July 16, 1909, August Horch rebuilt August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH Zwickau in the city of Zwickau. The Audi was born from the son of August Horch’s best friend, Heinrich Fickencher, a high school student who translated Horch’s name into Latin – Audi = Horch! (Listen).
The first car of the brand was released in 1910 – Audi Typ A 10/22 PS Phaeton.
Audi’s production in the period 1912-1914 included 6 models, from the middle class to the most luxurious, 3 models of trucks and chassis for buses.
Audi started with a 2,612 cc inline-four engine model Type A, followed by a 3,564 cc model, as well as 4,680 cc and 5,720 cc models. These cars were successful even in sporting events. The first six-cylinder model Type M, 4,655 cc appeared in 1924.
August Horch left the Audi Werke in 1920 for a high position at the ministry of transport, but he was still involved with Audi as a member of the board of trustees. In September 1921, Audi became the first German car manufacturer to present a production car, the Audi Type K, with left-handed drive. Left-hand drive spread and established dominance during the 1920s because it provided a better view of oncoming traffic, making overtaking safer when driving on the right.
In 1932, an auto union of four was formed – Horch, Audi, Wanderer and DKW merged into Auto Union. Thus, they create the unique emblem that is known today – the four rings.
Volkswagenwerk AG acquired the majority of shares in Auto Union GmbH in December 1964, with Audi becoming a fully owned VW subsidiary from the end of 1966.