Audi AG

Audi is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles, headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The company traces its origins to August Horch, who founded A. Horch & Cie. in Cologne on November 14, 1899. After a dispute with his supervisory board in 1909, Horch left and founded August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH, but could not reuse his surname due to trademark restrictions. He chose the Latin translation of his name, "audi," meaning "listen", and the first Audi rolled off the production line in Zwickau in 1910. During the Great Depression, Audi merged with DKW, Horch, and Wanderer in 1932 to form Auto Union AG, symbolized by the four interlocking rings. After World War II, Auto Union was reestablished in Ingolstadt in 1949, and in 1985 the company was renamed Audi AG.

Audi built much of its reputation on pioneering all-wheel-drive technology, which it showcased in motorsport and introduced to production vehicles under the Quattro nameplate. The brand offers a broad lineup of sedans, SUVs, and high-performance models, competing directly with BMW and Mercedes-Benz at the top of the premium market. In recent years, Audi has accelerated its transition to electric mobility, launching the e-tron series and investing heavily in autonomous driving and digital connectivity. Under current CEO Gernot Döllner, the company is executing a comprehensive electrification strategy as part of the Volkswagen Group's broader transformation. [edit]