Audi traces its origins back to 1899 and August Horch. When Horch was forced out of the company he had founded, he started a new company in 1909 called Audi which was a Latin translation of Horch (in German: Listen). From the start, the companys policy was to build cars mainly for the luxury category.
Since 1932 the Audi emblem has been the four rings, which represent its amalgamation with DKW, Horch and Wanderer to form Auto Union AG in Chemnitz, Germany. Audi supplied a wide range of passenger vehicles during the 1930s - from motorcycles to luxury saloon cars. Volkswagen bought the company in 1964. In the 1980s, Audi dominated world rally with the Audi Quattro, and has had huge success in the Le Mans 24 Hour with its R10 prototype racer.
Audis progressive designs and groundbreaking technology combine to make cars which are innovative yet stylish. The current crop of production vehicles from the Audi A3 to the Audi R8 supercar has propelled Audi to record sales during the 21st century.
Audi have produced every kind of car imaginable: from executive cars such as the Audi A4 and Audi A6 to sports cars such as the Audi TT - from the Audi Q7 full size SUV to the Audi A2 super-mini and they show no signs of slowing down.
DID YOU KNOW?
In March 1980, the introduction of the Audi Quattro four-wheel drive sports coupe caused a sensation on the Audi stand at the Geneva Motor Show. The Quattro was the first high-performance vehicle with four-wheel drive, and is regarded as the first successful application of four-wheel drive on a road car.
In the late 1980s, a report by the U.S. TV show, "60 Minutes" rigged an Audi to perform in an uncontrolled manner. The report impacted Audi sales badly causing the company to rename the 5000 model the 100/200 in 1989
In 1994, the launch of the first Audi A8 with an all-aluminium body was a world first for a passenger car.
Audis legendary slogan, Vorsprung durch Technik means Advancement through Technology
AUDI FACTS
Type: Public (Xetra: NSU)
Founded: 1910, Zwickau, Germany
Headquarters: Ingolstadt, Germany
Key People: Rupert Stadler, Chairman
Industry: Automotive
Products: Automobiles, Engines
Subsidiaries: Quattro GmbH, Lamborghini S.p.A., SEAT, S.A., Cosworth Technology
