German automaker AUDI AG makes vehicles under the Audi brand. The Volkswagen Group includes it. The Latinized version of founder August Horch’s last name, which is the German word for “listen,” served as the inspiration for the name Audi. Germany’s Ingolstadt serves as the home base for Audi.
August Horch, a pioneer in the automobile industry, established August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH in Germany on July 16, 1909. A short while later, he changed the company’s name to Audi Automobilwerke, the Latin version of his last name.
To become Auto Union AG in 1932, Audi merged with Horch, DKW, and Wanderer. The brands Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer are represented by the four rings of the Audi logo. The four interconnected rings were a unique feature of Auto Union AG’s racing cars prior to World War II. The names and logos of the member companies were used.
On September 3rd, 1949, Auto Union GmbH was founded in Ingolstadt after a series of adjustments as WWII drew to a close.
On April 24, 1958, Daimler-Benz AG purchased the bulk of Auto Union GmbH’s shares, followed by the remaining ones. Auto Union was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Stuttgart-based Daimler Group from this day until the end of 1965.
Of December 1964, Volkswagenwerk AG bought the bulk of the stock in Auto Union GmbH; towards the end of 1966, Audi became a fully owned VW subsidiary.
The newly acquired NSU Motorenwerke AG by VW and the Ingolstadt-based Auto Union GmbH amalgamated to establish Audi NSU Auto Union AG in March 1969.
A four-wheel-drive sports coup was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1980. The first four-wheel-drive high-performance car was the Audi Quattro. Only trucks and off-road vehicles had previously utilised this drive concept. The Audi Quattro’s permanent all-wheel-drive technology was an international racing sensation that eventually made its way into the full lineup of Audi vehicles.
Audi NSU Auto Union AG changed its name to AUDI AG in January 1985. The business also relocated its headquarters from Ingolstadt at the same time. From that point on, both the firm and the cars shared the same name.
In This Article...
What models of Audi are built in Germany?
The Audi plant in Neckarsulm has been producing automobiles for more than a century. The factory boasts the largest product diversity within the Volkswagen Group thanks to its competence in small-series and large-scale production as well as the vast range of variants. These factories produce more than only the model series Audi A4, Audi A5, Audi A6, Audi A7, or Audi A8. The headquarters of Audi Sport GmbH, originally quattro GmbH, are located here since 1983.
Around six kilometers from the facility, in the Heilbronn area, the Bllinger Hfe industrial park is where the high-performance Audi R8 sports vehicle and the fully electric Audi e-tron GT are being produced. Additionally, Neckarsulm plays a significant role in the Volkswagen Group’s future-focused programs for digital manufacturing and logistics, and it is gradually becoming a smart factory. The Neckarsulm location also houses the Group’s fuel cell technology competence center.
How can I locate the factory that built my car?
All road cars had to have standardized VINs by 1954, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) started enforcing them.
The majority of people think that a VIN is just a collection of random letters and numbers. However, these symbols are highly structured codes with distinct meanings. The VIN, which consists of 17 characters, is used on vehicles manufactured from 1981 to the present (letters and numbers). The length and format of the previous VIN differed between automobiles.
The lower-left corner of the dashboard, in front of the steering wheel, is frequently where the VIN can be found. Looking through the glass on the car’s driver’s side will allow you to read the number.
The VIN may also be visible in the following places:
- The engine block’s front. By opening the hood and inspecting the front of the engine, you should be able to see this with ease.
- The area in front of the car’s frame, close to the reservoir housing the windshield washer fluid.
- wheels towards the back. Attempt to stare directly above the tire, up.
- in the doorjamb on the driver’s side. Look underneath the door, where the side-view mirror would be if the door were closed.
- passenger-side doorpost. Look close to the location where the door latches and a little distance from the seatbelt return when you open the door.
- the spare tire’s base.
The country where the car was made is indicated by the first character of the VIN. VINs with the first three digits 1, 4, and 5 are produced in this country. The third number or letter is used by the car maker to specify the type of car, truck, bus, etc. that is being manufactured. The model year is indicated by the 10th character of the VIN.
What do the four rings in the Audi emblem stand for?
Let’s start at the very beginning: the Audi brand’s history dates back to the 19th century and includes
Julius Horch The mechanical engineer established his own company, August Horch & Cie, in 1899. Initially, he produced two-cylinder autos, and later, four-cylinder vehicles. He departed the business in 1909 as a result of a disagreement with the board of directors.
Horch then started a new vehicle company that same year. He could not use the name Horch because it was already in use, so he converted his last name into Latin: “Audi. The first vehicle under the new brand hit the streets in 1910. With three victories in a row at the International Austrian Alpine Rally, one of the toughest rallies of the day, between 1912 and 1914, Audi attracted attention.
Four ringsfour brands
Four interlocking rings represented the joining of four Saxony-based automakers: Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer to form Auto Union AG. Here are some quick facts about the history of the current AUDI AG.
Audis are produced in North America?
Audi’s new production facility in San Jos Chiapa, Mexico, is now open for business. The facility is not only the first for Audi in North America but also for a premium automaker in Mexico.
A number of different planners were able to work on the project concurrently thanks to Audi’s virtual design of the complete factory. Because of this, the 988-acre plant may be finished in just three and a half years. The factory has an assembly line, a press shop, a body shop, and a paint shop.
“One of the best examples of an Audi Smart Factory is our facility in Mexico. According to Audi’s Board of Management Member for Production Waltl, this facility is the first that we have entirely virtualized and put into use.” The entire process chain has been improved, and we launched the plant 30% quicker than usual.
The plant will be used by Audi to produce its new Q5 SUV for the international market. According to Audi, the factory will be able to build up to 150,000 Q5s every year. The NAFTA region is the source of about 70% of the Q5’s parts. To date, over 100 businesses have established up close to the Mexican plant to supply the Q5 with parts. There are 3,300 employees working at the Audi facility.
With 1.6 million units sold to date, the Q5 has become one of Audi’s most well-liked automobiles. Although the SUV will still be locally produced in China and India for those countries, the Q5 manufactured in Mexico will be delivered to a variety of international markets.
How can I read the VIN code on my Audi?
Audi VINs are divided into nine sections:
- Manufacturer Identifier, first three characters
- Make/Series is the fourth character.
- Engine Type is the fifth character.
- Restraint System is the sixth character.
- Characters 7-8 – Model
- Number nine: Check Digit
- Model Year is the tenth character.
- Assembly Plant is the eleventh character.
- Characters 12 through 17 – Sequential Production Numbers
The table below includes a list of the squish VIN details for Audi vehicles. The first 11 characters of the complete VIN Number make up a “squish vin,” in essence. It does not, however, include the ninth character, which serves as a validation check digit for a VIN number. You may manually decode your Audi’s VIN with just a pen and piece of paper using Squeeze VIN. Check out What is a VIN Number to find out more.
How is the Audi VIN read?
See how each digit or segment in the 17-digit string is decoded in the VIN decoding diagram below.
The model and model year of the car, the make, the location of the vehicle’s manufacture, and other details are all indicated by a specific character or set of characters in an Audi VIN.
Here is an example Audi VIN that we were able to decode using the aforementioned diagram and the available decoding charts: WAUWFAFL1CA035531.
- WCountry (Germany)
- AManufacturer (Audi)
- Vehicle Class (Passenger Car)
- Description of the WFAFL (AWD/4DR/Wagon/Audi A4)
- Check digit one
- CMeasure Year (2012)
- Construction Site (Ingolstadt, Germany)
- Production Sequence Number: 035531
How recently was my car made?
You are not the only one who may be unsure of how to determine the year that your car was made. The model year and the production year of a car are not the same, and they rarely are. Your car may have been constructed in 2008 if the model year is 2008, but there’s a higher probability it was made in 2007.
Now keep in mind that we are comparing the “model year” of your car to the “production year.” Sometimes all you need to know is the year your car was built or the year the manufacturing process was completed “born. Your car’s model year will be listed on the title if all you want to know is that. You may also locate the model year of your car on the registration, insurance, and the majority of other documents related to it. The likelihood is that you are aware of the model year of your car because the vast majority of car owners are.
It can be more challenging to find out the exact date your car really rolled off the assembly line, though. For instance, a 2016 Ford Mustang might actually have been created in 2015. Although the production year would be 2015, the model year would be 2016. Continue reading if you’re interested in learning how to determine the actual year that your car was built.
Even though it’s uncommon with OEM hubcaps or wheels, a car manufacturer might decide to slightly alter an OEM component in the middle of a production year or address a safety concern. It’s nice to be aware of the production date of your vehicle in those uncommon circumstances.
How to determine your car’s production date is as follows:
In between the door and the doorjamb on the driver’s side door, there is typically a sticker applied by the manufacturer that lists numerous vital details about your car. This label often includes the manufacturing date or date of manufacture.
You can utilize your car’s VIN if your sticker is faded and you are unsure about the model year (vehicle identification number). Normally, the windshield of your automobile has your VIN inscribed into it. Your VIN contains a wealth of information. On most automobiles, the model year is represented by the tenth digit of the VIN. Some good resources can be found by performing a quick Google search for “VIN decoder” or “free VIN decoder,” but be careful that these are frequently ad-driven businesses that will ultimately try to sell you a service relating to your VIN, whether it’s a vehicle history report or something else. While you might not be able to determine the precise year, you might be able to learn the month or what is known as the “a sequence number that will show how many vehicles came before yours in production. Your car, for instance, was the 12,256th one produced at that facility for that model year if your sequence number is 12,256.
What versions of Audi are produced in China?
Chinese Audi Audi A4 L, Audi A6 L, Audi A6 L e-tron, Audi Q3, and Audi Q5 L are now produced at the facility. China is now Audi’s biggest single market globally as a result.
Is Audi superior to BMW?
It’s difficult to predict who will win the Audi vs. BMW competition. The same target market is being courted by both producers, but they focus on distinct specifications and features.
When it comes to technology and style, Audi is the winner, but BMW offers a smoother, sportier driving experience. When it comes to safety features, both brands score highly, however Audi has far lower reliability ratings. Although there isn’t much of a difference in price between the two, Audi’s reliability difficulties are evident in the price of repairs.
In the end, they are both fairly similar automobile makers with comparable models that appeal to slightly different demographics. Choose a BMW if you want a sporty, controlled ride. Choose an Audi if you want something with understated style and cutting-edge technology.
We can help if you’re interested in a certain Audi or BMW model. We’ve written a number of thorough comparative pages on particular models, including: