Is Audi A German Car Company?

Skip to Content Skip to main content

• Home
• Tips, Tricks & Trends

TrendsIs Audi a German Car Company?The Audi brand is known for producing stylish luxury cars and SUVs that prove themselves in terms of performance. In fact, thousands of people each year spend their money on one of these German luxury cars or an Audi SUV. But what is the history of Audi? Who owns this car company these days? Is … by Jordan Almond Published on October 19, 2020 11:17 pm 2 min read Share: Share on Twitter: Share on Facebook: Share via email: Copy link Link copied to the clipboard! Follow Us Add as preferred source on Google

The Audi brand is known for producing stylish luxury cars and SUVs that prove themselves in terms of performance. In fact, thousands of people each year spend their money on one of these German luxury cars or an Audi SUV. But what is the history of Audi? Who owns this car company these days? Is Audi a German car company?

Celebrating #quattro drive in style: the new #Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro. Our limited-edition special model marks the quattro #anniversary and is exclusive to 40 units. More about this model and its exclusive exterior #design >> https://t.co/13eEPOtJsb pic.twitter.com/LouUFJXyV9

— AudiOfficial (@AudiOfficial) October 15, 2020

Other benchmark luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW also have German roots. In addition, German cars are well-known for luxury and performance. In addition, they have become a symbol of success on American roads. Let’s go into a little bit of Audi history to learn some more about this German auto group.

What does Audi mean?

The name Audi comes from the surname of its founder. It’s a Latin translation from the nam of a man called August Horch. It’s the German word for “listen!” according to Yeovil Audi. However, Audi comes from a merger of several other companies that came together to form the Auto Union.

“Horch”, meaning “listen” in German, becomes “audi” in Latin. The four rings of the Audi logo each represent one of four car companies that banded together to create Audi’s predecessor company, Auto Union.

Wikipedia | Audi

According to the Audi Wikipedia page, Audi Automobilewerke formed following the merger of companies Horch, DKW, and Wanderer. This took place in 1932. Today, the Audi headquarters are in Ingolstadt, Germany. According to Yeovil Audi, “Auto Union GmbH was established in Ingolstadt on September 3rd, 1949 following a series of changes as WWII came to an end.”

The car company contributes several models to what we think of as a German luxury car segment. Today, in answer to the boom in popularity, there are many Audi SUVs on the market as well. All of today’s Audi models likely trace DNA back to an AWD performance car that’s decades old.

What is the Audi Quattro?

The Audi Quattro is one of Audi’s most famous flagship vehicles. In 1980, the German luxury car company debuted the Audi Quattro at the Geneva Motor Show. According to Yeovil Audi, this AWD sports coupe was the first of its kind. It paved the way for Audi’s lineup to become what it is today.

The worldwide success of the vehicle had a massive impact on the entire industry. Still today, more and more cars are released with available AWD systems. In fact, this performance car that gets power to all four wheels is one of Audi’s greatest contributions to the auto world.

It is owned by Volkswagen?

Back in 1958, Daimler-Benz AG acquired Auto Union GmbH on April 24th. However, this ownership only lasted until 1965. During that time, Auto Union remained a subsidiary owned entirely by the Stuttgart-based Daimler Group.

Eventually, Volkswagenwerk AG stepped in. In December of 1964, Volkswagen acquired the majority of Auto Union shares. By the closing of the 1966 business year, Audi was a subsidiary owned entirely by the Volkswagen auto group.

Then in 1969 Auto Union and NSU Moterenwerke––both subsidiaries owned by Volkswagen––united and became the Audi NSU Auto Union AG. In fact, this subsidiary is still owned by Volkswagen today. And yes, it is a German car company. Both the Volkswagen and Audi car companies have headquarters in Germany. They are both producers of German luxury cars and offices all over the world promote the sale of popular models like Audi Suvs.

Related

The 2020 Toyota Tundra Beats the Ford F-150 in 1 Important Area

Best in Tips, Tricks & Trends

How a Savvy Buyer Snapped Up a Nearly New Chevy for $5,000

Hyundai Vehicles May Soon Be Built by Humanoid Robots in Georgia

‘They Took the Bait’: Ohio Man Uses iPhone to Track Car Thieves the 4th Time They Hit

Section Editor - Pickup Trucks Jordan Almond

• Twitter
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Jordan Almond grew up Texan, hauling goosenecks and bumper pulls with her family’s dually. A former competitive equestrian, her experience driving trucks and towing horse trailers has provided a foundation for her pickup coverage and former weekly Toyota Tacoma installation. Jordan now serves as our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers Section Editor.

Jordan has a Bachelor’s in Rhetoric and Writing from the University of North Texas, and she wrote short fiction and poetry until joining MotorBiscuit in 2020. A lifelong adventurer, she can be found crafting pieces on RVs, camper vans, and overland conversions, although her library of automotive media covers a wide range of topics. Jordan credits motherhood and family life (chasing two boys) for providing her with more personal insights on new car reviews and informative pieces on consumer favorites.

Want more news like this? Add MotorBiscuit as a preferred source on Google! Preferred sources are prioritized in Top Stories, ensuring you never miss any of our editorial team's hard work. Add as preferred source on Google Latest in Category

Hyundai Vehicles May Soon Be Built by Humanoid Robots in Georgia

Nothing to fear here, right? by Doug Sheckler Published 13 hours ago

Manitoba Investigators Reveal the ‘Top 5’ Most Audacious Car Insurance Scams They Saw in 2025

If only these people had used their creativity for good. by Doug Sheckler Published 14 hours ago

Did Canelo Alvarez’s Family Sell a Rolls-Royce Stolen From Arizona to a Famous Mexican Singer?

Cullinan disappears and allegedly ends up with the celebrity by Henry Cesari Published on January 4, 2026 1:00 pm

‘They Took the Bait’: Ohio Man Uses iPhone to Track Car Thieves the 4th Time They Hit

After learning the suspects' ages, he used social media to find and talk to their parents. by Sarah Kennedy Published on January 4, 2026 8:07 am