The Factory through the Ages
1924
| Company name: | Neckarsulmer Fahrradwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 4,650 |
| Bicycles: | 18,873 |
| Motorbikes: | 6,424 |
| Area: | 120,000 m², of which 80,000 m² are built over |
NSU is producing at full speed again: a bicycle is made every five minutes, a motorbike every 20 minutes
and a car every two hours. The factory consists of 30 main and 40 auxiliary buildings. The Neckarsulm
company achieves much acclaimed success in motor sport.
1927
| Company name: | NSU Vereinigte Fahrzeugwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 4,650 |
| Bicycles: | 28,200 |
| Motorbikes: | 12,926 |
NSU is the first German factory to introduce the assembly line in motorbike construction. Through
rationalisation, type standardisation and cycle-based work, competitive and low-cost motorbikes can be
offered. Production figures are doubled compared to the previous year.
1928
| Company name: | NSU Vereinigte Fahrzeugwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 4,750 |
| Bicycles: | 30,348 |
| Motorbikes: | 21,813 |
The strong demand for motor vehicles makes it necessary to build a branch factory with 84,000 square
metres of floor space in Heilbronn. Competitive and cost pressures force rational production methods.
The daily output is 22 cars. The world economic crisis puts NSU in difficulties. Car production has to
be stopped. In 1928, the Heilbronn factory is sold to Fiat. In 1929, a new driveway is built to relieve
the local roads. 150 motorbikes are tested every day.
1932
| Company name: | NSU-D-Vereinigte Fahrzeugwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 750 |
| Bicycles: | 9,741 |
| Motorbikes: | 4,789 |
The effects of the world economic crisis lead to a serious sales crisis for all German vehicle
manufacturers. Fritz von Falkenhayn, later chairman of the board, greatly expands customer service
within the sales and distribution department to promote sales. In addition, a showroom with all NSU
vehicle models is set up in Heilbronn.
1938
| Company name: | NSU Werk AG |
| Employees: | 3,200 |
| Bicycles: | 135,955 |
| Motorbikes: | 62,619 |
1936 NSU takes over the bicycle production of Adam Opel AG and thus achieves the top position in German
two-wheeler production. The "Quick" conquers the market in no time. By the time the series is
discontinued in 1953, 240,000 units are built.
1945
| Company name: | NSU Werke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 843 |
| Bicycles: | 8,822 |
| Motorbikes: | 98 |
The core of the factory is completely destroyed in April 1944 and March 1945. In mid-1945, production is
resumed bit by bit. Due to a shortage of parts and raw materials, pre-war models are produced from
remaining stocks in exchange for ration coupons. The establishment of a repair workshop for US military
trucks brings jobs back.
