Audi Resurrecting Horch Nameplate for New A8
Slideshow: In order to better compete with rival Mercedes’ Maybach S-Class, Audi has announced that it will apply its once-popular “Horch” namesake to the updated line of A8 vehicles. What’s in a name?
What’s the meaning behind the “Horch” name?
There aren’t many people out there that are familiar with Audi’s history, so “Horch” might be more of a curiosity rather than something with meaning. For the company though, it’s definitely the latter. The Horch name goes back to the company’s first few years when August Horch decided to break away from partner Karl Benz and create his own company.
From Horch to Audi
Horch was a production manager for Mercedes-Benz. Tired of the gig, he decided to start his own company with business partner Salli Herz. Together, they launched Horch & Cie. Motorwagenwerke AG in 1904. Five years later, the duo established the August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH. Unfortunately, August did not possess the rights to the Horch name and had to rename the second company. Following a suggestion made by the son of one of his business partners, he renamed it Audi. A few years later, Horch and Audi merged with DKW and Wanderer to form Auto Union AG in 1932.
>>Join the conversation about the return of the Horch nameplate return right here in the AudiWorld forum!
