In a message dated 12/22/04 6:18:29 PM Eastern Standard Time,
jim@KARMANNGHIA.COM writes:

> Interestingly enough is that "Auto Union" was the corporate name for Audi
> before Volkswagen purchased/merged with them.  For guys like me in the parts
> biz (who have been around too long), every time I see the Auto Union name I
> think of Audi, not Volkswagen.  Auto Union really put out some crap/junk in
> their day.  Talk about going backwards.....
>
>

Auto Union was the conglomeration of 4 different car companies, making up the
first "Audi".  they were as follows:  Horch, Wanderer, NSU, and DKW.   all 4
were merged together and formed the company "Auto Union" which as jim said,
later became the "Audi" as we know today.  this is why the Audi logo is
comprised of four interlocked rings, each ring representing the 4 companies that
merged to form Auto Union.
iirc, Auto Union changed their name to Audi in the late 60's..   "Audi" means
"wind"  in latin? or some language..  vw/audi AG has always been hot to name
their cars some sort of atmospheric condition names....

chris