Posted on Thursday 28 June 2007
Audi’s four interlinked rings, a symbol of the merger of Germany’s Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer carmakers on the 29th June 1932, is now celebrating its 75th anniversary. Back then, the group was known as the Auto Union AG and the four-ring badge was worn by one out of every four cars sold in Germany at the time.
To ensure no one treaded on each others toes, each of the four brands were assigned a specific market segment. Motorcycles and small cars were produced by DKW, midsize cars for Wanderer, cars in the deluxe midsize segment for Audi, and luxury cars at the top end of the market for Horch. In 1969, the Auto Union partnered with NSU, one of the pioneers of the Wankel Rotary engine, and finally became Audi AG in 1985.
To celebrate the anniversary, Audi will be running several events including classic car meets and rallies such as the Concours d’Elegance de Bergerac, the Mille Miglia and the Premio Nuvolari using various classic models of the four brands Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer.