questions about audi....

[Aharami]

i know VW own audi like toyota owns lexus, honda owns acura, and nissan owns infinity. but as far as i know, the japanese carmakers created their corresponding luxury brand. i was wondering if its the same case with VW and audi. did VW create audi or did they just buy audi (like ford bought jaguar...but did not create that brand)? if VW did create audi, why isnt VW considered as reliable as Audis (when toyotas and lexuses are both considered reliable)?

 

[Aharami]

?

 

[thomsbrain]

Audi's are no more reliable than VW's. A lot of the problems have been with crappy engine parts, and since most VW engines also show up in Audi's, they have the same sets of problems. And VW's have always had poor electrical systems. Even the otherwise-solid original Beetles used to catch on fire if you put someone really heavy in the back seat because it would push the seat down onto the battery.

But as for Audi's orgins, I have no idea what the story is.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Audi was purchased by VW, not created. I think Audis are, for the most part, reliable, but the vast majority of people here will tell you otherwise. The only way to find out is to talk to people that have actually owned Audis, not just those who love to spread conjecture and hearsay. Go find a few Audi owners and ask them if they'd buy another Audi.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

VW purchased Audi in 1964.

 

[Colt45]

Audi's 4 rings represent the merger of Audi, Horch, DKW, and wanderer.. happened in the early 30's iirc.

 

[JoeMomma]

It's a very complicated history. NOTHING AT ALL LIKE THE "FAKE" JAPANESE LUXURY BRANDS!

The company was formed as Auto Union AG by a merger of 4 smaller companies in 1932 - Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer. Horch was the oldest, founded in 1899. The four rings in the Audi logo symbolize the 4 original companies. In 1948 Auto Union was dissolved by the Soviet military administration. The following year Auto Union GmbH was formed using Marshall Plan funding in part and began selling old DKW designs. In 1958 Auto Union GmbH became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daimler Group. In 1964 Volkswagen took over Auto Union GmbH. In 1969, NSU Motorenwerke AG, which had just been taken over by VW, and Auto Union GmbH merged to form Audi NSU Auto Union AG. In 1985, Audi NSU Auto Union AG was renamed as AUDI AG and remains so today.

cliff notes:
1932 - Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer merge to form Auto Union AG
1948 - Auto Union AG dissolved by Soviet occupiers
1949 - Auto Union GmbH re-established
1958 - Daimler Group buys Auto Union GmbH
1964 - Volkswagen Group buys Auto Union GmbH from Daimler
1969 - VW buys NSU and merges NSU with Auto Union to become Audi NSU Auto Union AG
1985 - Audi NSU Auto Union AG renamed AUDI AG (all caps is proper name, BTW)

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: Colt45
Audi's 4 rings represent the merger of Audi, Horch, DKW, and wanderer.. happened in the early 30's iirc.

On 29th June 1932, the four Saxon motor-vehicle brands Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer joined forces to create Auto Union AG, which had its head office in Chemnitz. The new company group was consequently able to serve all market segments, from light motorcycles to luxury saloon cars.

edit: click on Company > History

 

[ultimatebob]

Audi used to be in a conglomeration of smaller German auto companies called "Auto Union" until it got bought out by VW in the 60's. VW dropped the names of the other companies, and only kept building cars under the Audi brand name.

A lot of the lower-end Audi's (A3, A4, A6, etc) share a lot of common parts with VW's product line. So, if a problem shows up in a shared engine platform like the 1.8T 4 cylinder, it would make sense that all of the cars that use that engine end up having simular mechanical problems.

 

[Aharami]

ok cool. thanks guys.

on another note: is there *anything* the ATOT collective doesnt know??!

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Audi used to be in a conglomeration of smaller German auto companies called "Auto Union" until it got bought out by VW in the 60's. VW dropped the names of the other companies, and only kept building cars under the Audi brand name.

A lot of the lower-end Audi's (A3, A4, A6, etc) share a lot of common parts with VW's product line. So, if a problem shows up in a shared engine platform like the 1.8T 4 cylinder, it would make sense that all of the cars that use that engine end up having simular mechanical problems.

The S editions are really that different? I kind of assumed it was just a nicer engine, better suspension thing going on.