Where is Audi Made?

by Sam McEachern

Updated: June 15th, 2020 Published: May 23rd, 2019

Most people probably know that Audi is a German automaker, but do you know where in Germany the company is from, where it is based, and where it builds its cars today?

In this post, we’ll provide a short background on the history of Audi, where it is based and its various production plants are located. We’ll be focusing on the Audi plants that serve the North American market, as automakers often operate plants that serve certain markets only, such as those in South America or China.

Scroll down to learn all about Audi and where Audi vehicles are made.

Where is Audi From?

Audi’s history can be traced back to German engineer and entrepreneur August Horch, who started up his own car company August Horch & Cie. Motorwagenwerke AG in 1904. He was later forced out of the company and started up his own car company. He was unable to use the Horch name for the new company due to trademark laws, however, so he called it Audi AG.

The Audi name was allegedly thought up by August Horch’s son, who suggested it as “horch” translated to “hear” in Latin, with “audi” being the singular, meaning “to listen.” Audi’s familiar four rings logo came into play in 1932, when Audi AG, Horch, DKW and Wanderer Company merged together, with each ring represented one of the four companies.

This means the earliest you can trace the Audi brand back is when Wanderer Company was first incorporated in 1885. Wandered didn’t start making vehicles until 1903, however, whereas Horch’s first production vehicle came out in 1901. Prior to 1903, Wanderer made motorcycles and bicycles.