Auto Union survived thanks to its DKW division, which kept producing excellent motorcycles and solid, two-stroke engined cars. DKW had been developing front-wheel drive models since 1931. After the war, it introduced the famous 3=6 with three-cylinder engine that eventually won the 1954 rally championship.
Then came the famous DKW Junior of the late '50s and the merger with NSU (owned by Volkswagen), in 1969.
Auto Union becomes Audi!
Engineers from the Audi division did not want to see their brand disappear. They secretly developed a nice-looking compact car called the Audi 72. Company inspectors found out about it and reported back to the president of Auto Union. The latter was impressed and immediately gave the green light.
Devoid of any right on the Horsh and Wanderer names, and despite the fact that DKW was more widely known, Auto Union chose to rename itself Audi. With this move, executives were hoping to challenge the top two German luxury manufacturers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
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| 1954 DKW 3=6 |
Then came the famous DKW Junior of the late '50s and the merger with NSU (owned by Volkswagen), in 1969.
Auto Union becomes Audi!
Engineers from the Audi division did not want to see their brand disappear. They secretly developed a nice-looking compact car called the Audi 72. Company inspectors found out about it and reported back to the president of Auto Union. The latter was impressed and immediately gave the green light.
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| The Audi 72, a successful prototype using a Mercedes-Benz engine. |
Devoid of any right on the Horsh and Wanderer names, and despite the fact that DKW was more widely known, Auto Union chose to rename itself Audi. With this move, executives were hoping to challenge the top two German luxury manufacturers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.