Auto Union to Make a Comeback?

There hasn’t been a true Auto Union branded car since 1964, and Audi is the only remaining brand of the defunct automaker. But it seems the historic Auto Union moniker is being considered for the name of the new Porsche-VW company once the two German automakers merge.

Porsche originally looked likely to take over VW instead of merging with Germany’s largest automaker. A lack of available credit and its debt structure stalled the takeover and now VW has suggested a merger of the two companies. The merger would effectively give VW control of Porsche and may result in the removal of Wendelin Wiedeking, CEO of Porsche. It is this merged company that may resurrect the Auto Union name.

The Auto Union name is fitting for the merged conglomerate as that is how Auto Union was initially founded. The original Auto Union was created from the merger of three companies, later adding a fourth. The four rings of the Audi brand originally came from the four-ringed Auto Union badge, with each ring symbolizing one of the four brands.

Another way in which the Auto Union name fits is through Audi and Porsche’s racing dominance. Auto Union was famous for its advanced race cars that, together with Mercedes racers, were known as the Silver Arrows. Auto Union’s race cars were extremely technologically advanced 12- and 16-cylinder grand prix cars. The 1937 unlimited Auto Union grand prix cars’ power levels weren’t equaled until the 1980s’ turbocharged Formula 1 cars.

Source: Autocar