Audi AG: Company History and Origin of the Four Rings
Automaker August Horch founded his first company in 1899, laying the groundwork for the modern Audi brand. The company's history involves four founding marques and its iconic four-ring emblem.
German automaker Audi AG has released a historical overview detailing the company's origins, beginning with August Horch's initial venture in 1899. Horch, recognized as a pioneer in German automotive engineering, established his first company, A. Horch & Cie., in Cologne on November 14, 1899. Following disagreements, Horch departed from his original company and founded a new automobile firm. Prohibited from using his own name, he translated it into Latin, resulting in the brand name Audi.
The company's trajectory shifted significantly on June 29, 1932, with the formation of Auto Union AG. This entity merged four existing German manufacturers: Audi, DKW, Horch, and the automotive division of Wanderer. Driven by the initiative of Sächsische Staatsbank, this consolidation created Germany's second-largest automotive group at the time and established the foundation for today's Audi. The union is symbolized by the now-famous four interlinked rings, each representing one of the founding marques.
Under the Auto Union umbrella, Audi introduced technically sophisticated vehicles, such as the front-wheel-drive Audi Front in 1933. The company continued to innovate, launching the modern and powerful Audi 920 in 1938. The legacy of these early developments continues to shape Audi's identity, with the four rings remaining a globally recognized symbol of the brand.