NSU

NSU Motorenwerke AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. It was founded in 1873 and was later acquired by Volkswagen Group in 1969. NSU was merged with Auto Union, creating Audi NSU Auto Union AG, which eventually became Audi. The name NSU was derived from the city "Neckarsulm", where the company was located.

NSU originated in 1873 as a knitting machine manufacturer named "Mechanische Werkstätte zur Herstellung von Strickmaschinen" by Christian Schmidt. The company relocated in 1880 to Neckarsulm and started producing bicycles in 1886. NSU produced its first motorcycle in 1901 and car in 1905. During World War I, NSU produced motorcycles and trucks for the German Army. In 1932, the company sold its car factory in Heilbronn to Fiat after failing to break into volume automobile production. During World War II, NSU produced the Kettenkrad, the NSU HK101, and the 251 OSL motorcycle. After World War II, the company resumed the production of bicycles and motorbikes in a completely destroyed plant, with prewar designs like the Quick, OSL, and Konsul motorbikes. In 1957, NSU re-entered the car market with the new Prinz, a small car with a doubled NSU Max engine. NSU's last production motorcycle was the Quick 50 in 1968. In 1964, NSU partnered with Citroën to develop the Wankel engine. In 1967, the four-door NSU Ro 80 was presented to the public, which gained several design awards such as "car of the year 1967", while drivers liked its performance. Volkswagen Group took over NSU in 1969.