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August Horch (1868–1951) -

German engineer and automobile pioneer August Horch founded August Horch & Cie in 1899. In 1910, he set up Automobilwerke GmbH Zwickau in Zwickau, Saxony. By 1915, the company was operating as Audiwerke AG Zwickau. This marked the birth of Audi's modern company name.

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The first Audi automobile -

The first Audi automobile to roll off the production line was the Type A, in 1915.

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Audi Type B -

The more powerful 4-cyliner 2.6-liter  Audi Type B also appeared in 1915.

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Audi Type E -

In 1913, the Audi Type E was unveiled. This was the company's largest pre-war model, delivering an impressive 54 horse power—a fact illustrated by this advertising poster depicting a female driver saying farewell to her steed before climbing into her vehicle.

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The Audi rings -

In 1932, four automobile manufacturers based in Saxony—Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer— merged to become Auto Union AG. Four linked rings were chosen as the Auto Union logo, representing the four brands. Auto Union is the immediate predecessor of Audi as it is known today, with the familiar logo recognized around the globe.

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Auto Union enters motorsport -

Motorsport provided the ideal platform for Auto Union to showcase their "silver arrows" racing models, from the late 1920s to 1939. The 1928 Auto Union racing team, for example, consisted of such great drivers as Tazio Nuvolari, Hans Stuck, Christian Kautz, Rudolf Hasse, and Herman-Paul Muller.

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Auto Union sets world speed records -

Arguably Auto Union's most celebrated pilot was Bernd Rosemeyer, considered one of the greatest racing drivers of all time. He's pictured in 1937 seated in a streamlined car designed by Ferdinand Porsche. Bernd Rosemeyer set several world speed records in this vehicle. He was sadly killed during a land speed record attempt in 1938. 

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Audi on the road -

Away from the track, Auto Union produced several vehicles under the Audi brand, themselves packing quite a punch under the hood.

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Production slowdown -

By the late 1930s, however, Auto Union concentrated increasingly on smaller cars. By 1938, Auto Union's DKW brand accounted for 17.9% of the German car market, while Audi held only 0.1%. Pictured is the Auto Union motor car stand at an exhibition in Paris in 1934. A Wanderer 10hp convertible can be seen in the foreground.

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Second World War -

During the buildup and onset of the Second World War, Auto Union focused on the development and production of special military vehicles. With war declared, the company halted civilian production of automobiles and directed its resources exclusively towards military purposes.

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Post-war relocation -

After the war, all Auto Union plants were occupied by the Red Army—they were located in the Soviet-occupied zone of East Germany. Auto Union's executives eventually reestablished the company on the Western side of a now partitioned Germany.

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Production in Düsseldorf -

Post-war, a reformed Auto Union initially began producing small two-stroke cars under the DWK brand at Ingolstadt in Bavaria. For the manufacture of the mass-market passenger vehicles, however, the company hired the use of a plant in Düsseldorf.

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Company buyout -

In 1959, Daimler-Benz acquired a 100% holding in Auto Union. While the company's lightweight Auto Union 1000 (pictured) proved a popular runaround, small two-stroke cars were not the focus of Daimler-Benz's interests. Auto Union's days were numbered.

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Resurrection of the Audi name -

In 1964, Volkswagen secured a 50% holding in the business. The DWK brand name was quickly dumped, and by the following year Auto Union was playing a secondary role in vehicle manufacture. The "Audi" name was subsequently resurrected by the Volkswagen Group after a 25-year gap, with the Audi 60 the first new vehicle branded as such. The Audi 72, Audi 75, Audi 80, and Audi Super 90 helped drive the company into the early 1970s.

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Audi 100 -

But it was the Audi 100, launched in 1968, that truly solidified the Audi marque, the model achieving huge success across Europe.

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Merger and the reinvention of Audi -

In 1969, VW merged Auto Union with German car and motorcycle manufacturer NSU to create Audi NSU Auto Union AG, ultimately Audi. The reinvention of Audi as a standalone car manufacturer was complete. The Audi 80 debuted in Europe in 1972, and in 1973 in Australia and North America as the Audi Fox.

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"Vorsprung durch Technik" -

Incidentally, Audi's celebrated advertising slogan, Vorsprung durch Technik ("Advancement through Technology"), was originally used to promote the NSU Ro 80 (pictured), launched in 1967. The NSU Ro 80 ceased production in 1977.

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Audi 50 -

The Audi 50 made its debut in 1974, marketed as a supermini economy car. The model was only sold in Europe and later rebadged by Volkswagen as the Volkswagen Polo.

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Audi Quattro -

Audi's image in the 1970s was seen as rather conservative. That all changed with the launch in 1980 of the Audi Quattro. An all-wheel drive turbocharged coupé, the model quickly became the must-have drive of the new decade.

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The rally champion -

Off-road, the Audi Quattro proved a winner in rally competition. Prominent victories around the world proved the viability of all-wheel-drive race car, and the Audi name became associated with advances in automotive technology.

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Audi A4 -

The Audi A4, launched in 1994 as a compact executive car, succeeded the Audi 80, which was beginning to show its age. The A4, now in its fifth generation and a consistent best seller, was complemented by the Audi A5, launched in 2007.

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Audi RS2 -

Blink and you'd miss the Audi RS2. This iconic vehicle was in production for barely a year, from 1994 to 1995. But it became a favorite with families everywhere for its super-smooth drive and roomy interior. This was the first "RS" model ever made by the company.

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Audi S8 -

By the late 1990s, Audi was producing some of the coolest looking vehicles in the industry. The S8, which combined power and class, appeared in 1996 and is still in production.

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Audi TT -

Launched in 1998 and only discontinued in February of 2023, the Audi TT has been described by What Car? as a vehicle that's "become more and more appealing over time."

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High performance combined with good looks -

The TT's allure rests on its combination of "arresting looks" and "engaging driving experience," noted the magazine.

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Audi A2 -

Manufactured between 2000–2005, the compact and futuristic Audi A2 supermini was applauded by the motoring press for its stylish design. Motorists were equally gushing in their praise for its fuel economy.

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Audi Q8 -

The unveiling in 2018 of the Audi Q8 marked the car manufacturer's entry into the mid-size luxury SUV coupé market. The vehicle is the flagship of the Audi SUV line.

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Audi RS7 Sportback -

Marketed as an executive vehicle but with the power and aggression of a sports car, the Audi RS7 is a classy grand touring sedan with great family appeal that's been on the road since 2013.

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Audi R8 V10 Performance -

Some like it hotter though, and the raw power produced by the Audi R8 V10 Performance is courtesy of a 614-hp 5.3-liter V10 that allows this stylish and sexy beast to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds to achieve a top speed of 329 km/h (205 mph).

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Audi e-tron range -

Bringing the Audi story up to speed is the e-tron series of electric and hybrid vehicles. The range harnesses the latest technology for day-to-day functionality without sacrificing performance. The latest model is the 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron.

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Audi in motorsport -

Meanwhile, Audi continues to turn heads in motorsport. Audi cars have impressed in the World Rally Championship, Pikes Peak, Super Touring Cars, DTM, GT racing, and Le Mans events. And Audi made its debut in the 2022 Dakar Rally when the RS Q e-tron caused a sensation with its efficiency and competitiveness.

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Audi to enter Formula One -

And the big news for motorsport fans? In 2026 Audi will enter Formula One!

Sources: (Audi.com) (Automotive Hall of Fame) (What Car?)

See also: Fascinating facts about Formula One racing

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