August Horch founded A. Horch & Cie Motorwagenwerke, now known as Audi, in 1899 after working as an engine manufacturer.
Born: 12 October 1868, Winningen, Rhenish Prussia
Died: 3 February 1951 (aged 82), Münchberg, Bavaria
Known for: Founder of Audi and Horch
The automotive firm Audi was started by August Horch, a pioneer in the motor vehicle industry. While employed as a machinist and engine constructor, he worked for Carl Benz in Mannheim, Germany, from 1896 to 1899. Working with A. Horch & Cie Motorwagenwerke, which would later be renamed Horch-Werke AG and is now Audi, he founded a corporation in 1899 that manufactured automobiles. His automobiles became renowned because of their high quality technology and craftsmanship. In addition to automobiles, Horch was also a pioneer in the usage of lightweight alloy metals and in mounting engines in the front rather than the back. He was a proponent of the use of light alloy metals and an early proponent of engine mounting in the front of vehicles. In 1920, he was instrumental in Audi’s decision to adopt left-hand driving on all of its standard models. All of his innovations were intended to improve his automobiles’ driver friendliness. In addition to his automotive achievements, August Horch held several high-level governmental posts, including president of the Coordination Committee for Expellee Affairs and chairman of the Expellee Council.
