The Factory through the Ages
1873
| Company name: | Audi Werk Neckarsulm |
The Audi factory in Neckarsulm was founded over 125 years ago. What began as a knitting machine factory
turned into one of the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers for a number of years, as well as a
renowned automobile factory under the name NSU. With developments ranging from the NSU Wankel engine to
today’s aluminum body construction, this factory has made a name for itself worldwide.
1905
| Company name: | Neckarsulmer Fahrradwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 786 |
| Bicycles: | 7,000 |
| Motorbikes: | 2,228 |
| Floor space: | 44,115 m² |
The factory was founded in 1873 by Christian Schmidt and Heinrich Stoll in Riedlingen on the Danube as a
knitting machine factory. After relocating to Neckarsulm in 1880, the workforce grows from nine
employees to 786 in 1905. Numerous buildings are constructed. The new factory machines are driven by a
steam engine with an output of 760 hp. Gottlob Banzhaf, head of the company from 1884 to 1910, takes up
the production of “motor two-wheelers” in 1901 in addition to the production of bicycles, and in 1905
the contract manufacturing of luxury limousines for the Belgian company Pipe.
1906/7
| Company name: | Neckarsulmer Fahrradwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Automobiles: | 20 |
| Bicycles: | 13,858 |
In 1903, a testing and running-in track is built on the company premises, where buyers are shown how to
start motor vehicles and motorbikes, ride them safely and, if necessary, carry out minor repairs. 65
percent of production is exported, e.g. to China, Japan, India, South America, Russia and Europe. In
1906, the first self-developed automobiles roll out of the halls, the “Original Neckarsulmer
Motorwagen”, types 6/10 hp and 15/24 hp.
1911
In 1911, Karl Gassert, a rider from Neckarsulm, wins the "Golden Medal" at the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man on an NSU 2-cylinder 2.5 hp motorcycle. NSU is one of the first companies in Germany to publish its own company magazine, the "NSU Mitteilungen".
1911
| Company name: | Neckarsulmer Fahrradwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 1,100 |
| Bicycles: | 13,500 |
| Motorbikes: | 3,000 |
| Automobiles: | 450 |
| Floor space: | 44,483 m² |
The NSU product range includes bicycles, motorbikes, racing motorbikes, passenger cars and vehicles for
transporting goods. With Otto Lingenfelder‘s motorbike world record in Los Angeles and the victory of
three NSU automobiles in the “Prinz Heinrich Fahrt”, a long and successful sporting tradition begins in
1909.
1914
| Company name: | Neckarsulmer Fahrradwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 1,200 |
| Bicycles: | 27,000 |
| Motorbikes: | 3,600 |
| Automobiles: | 900 |
| Area: | 82,845 m², of which 20,684 m² is built over |
Shortly before the First World War, Neckarsulmer Fahrzeugwerke AG receives new management. The technical
director, Dr. Georg Schwarz, is responsible for the development of the successful NSU racing cars.
development of the successful NSU racing cars in the 1920s. The commercial director, Fritz Gehr, creates
a powerful sales organisation and is particularly committed to the social welfare of his employees.
After the First World War, exports, which had been the mainstay of NSU‘s business up to that point of
NSU‘s business, is at a low ebb. Only the NSU army motorbike survives the war.
