Audi AG is all set to celebrate its 100 years of establishment. The grand celebrations started on March 15 and will conclude on July 16, the day when Audi was born. The Audi cars were established by August Horch on 1909 on July 16.
August Horch worked with Carl-Benz, the founder of Benz cars the earliest known motorized cars of the world. Benz cars later joined Daimler Motors to form the famous part of Mercedes- Benz cars. August Horch who had worked with Carl Benz for five years, set up his own company in 1899. He manufactured the first Horch cars in 1901. However he was thrown out this company following severe differences with the board of directors.
After which he formed another automobile manufacturing company in 1904. However, his partners from previous company objected to him using the name Horch. While contemplating on a new name for his brand of cars, August Horch like the suggestion of Audi. Since Horch in German means listen, Audi in Latin also meant listen.
Audi cars won their first victor at the international Austrian Alpine Run, one of the most famous races of its time. August Horch participated in the race in 1911 and won the first prize. Encouraged by this success, Horch entered the Audi team in more races, they won the Austrian Alpine Run in the next couple of years.
Audi introduced the first left hand drive car called the Type-K. This aspect drastically increased driver visibility of oncoming vehicles and made passing safer. Soon it became a standard features in many automobiles. There were the left had drive countries and the right and drive countries in Europe.
In 1932 the Audi AG, a combination of four car companies set up by August Horch was merged as one. It was named the Auto Union AG. These four companies included Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer were merged to make its attractive. They manufactured everything from cars, to two wheelers to bicycles.
In 1934 Audi received its biggest popularity with the success of a production car based on the racing car designed by Ferdinand Porsche. The car sported aerodynamic looks and came with a powerful six cylinder engine. However, Audi great run in market was cut short by the WW-II when it was forced to abandon car production. The production was shifted to current location on Inglostadt. Daimler Benz acquired the Audi AG in1959 and expanded the facility to accommodate mass production of cars in Germany. Untill 1964 the Audi cars bore only two stroke engines.
In 963, Auto Union AG showcased a open top two seater car which became an immediate sensation among the car buyers in Europe. Called the Wankel Spider, this small car has a single rotor rotary piston engine at the rear, which was a new concept at that time.
The company underwent a major change of ownerships after Volkswagen bought the company shares. It became fully owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen AG by the end of 1966. Till date it remains that way. The Audi name was restored. It went on to win many racing events and is a major luxury car manufacturer of India. Audi is held in high esteem by all car manufacturer across the world.
