The Factory through the Ages
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 the middle of 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.
1949
| Company name: | NSU Werke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 4,462 |
| Bicycles: | 135,480 |
| Motorbikes: | 37,929 |
The Fox four-stroke motorbike is the first new design of the post-war period to be launched on the
market. All the damaged factory buildings are restored and can be used. In addition, a new goods
receiving and testing centre and a bicycle parts warehouse are inaugurated.
1953
| Company name: | NSU Werke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 5,829 |
| Bicycles: | 62,831 |
| Motorbikes: | 110,855 |
The new North Assembly Hall has been in operation since 1951. The daily production of the newly
manufactured Quickly is 500 units. A light metal pressure foundry and a large three-storey dispatch and
storage hall are built. NSU wins two World Championships and two German Championships in the 125 cc and
250 cc classes with the Rennfox and Rennmax. The sporting year 1953 is one of the most successful in the
history of NSU.
1954
| Company name: | NSU Werke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 6,050 |
| Bicycles: | 46,737 |
| Motorbikes: | 201,439 |
The photo shows the daily production of 1,000 Quickly, 350 scooters and motorbikes and 250 bicycles. NSU
Werke AG is the third largest company in Baden-Württemberg. 310 apprentices are trained in eleven
apprenticeship trades. The Lambretta is Germany‘s most popular scooter. The export share of the Quickly
is 56 percent.
1956
| Company name: | NSU Werke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 6,192 |
| Bicycles: | 39,569 |
| Motorbikes: | 237,137 |
1955 NSU Werke AG is the largest two-wheeler factory in the world with an annual output of 343,000
units. 1956 is the year of absolute world speed records. Wilhelm Herz and H. P. Müller achieve 62 world
records in the solo classes. Two-wheeler sales decline sharply. The factory secures the future of the
company by developing an automobile. On 1 February 1957, a Wankel engine fires up on the test bench for
the first time and runs. In 1958, car production is resumed with the “Prinz“.
1964
| Company name: | NSU Motorenwerke AG, Neckarsulm |
| Employees: | 8,758 |
| Motorbikes: | 7,600 |
| Scooters: | 3,600 |
| Bicycles: | production stopped in spring 1963 |
| Automobile: | 81,757 |
The demand for automobiles grows. NSU takes on 600 foreign employees. A new production hall for the
four-cylinder models with six production lines is built. The investment costs amount to DM 60 million.
1965 The NSU plant in Heilbronn is opened in the former Drauz KG body works. In 1966, the last
two-wheeler, an NSU Quick 50, rolls off the production line.
1969
| Company name: |
AUDI NSU AUTO UNION AG (since 10 March 1969) |
| Employees: |
26,595 total, of which 11,504 in Neckarsulm |
| Automobile: |
264,714 total, of which 142,297 in Neckarsulm |
Daily production is increased from 458 to 590 cars. Due to the high demand, there are long delivery
times. The NSU K 70 is developed. In 1969, due to a lack of capital, NSU Motorenwerke AG merges with
AUTO UNION GmbH to form AUDI NSU AUTO UNION AG. The majority shareholder is Volkswagen AG; the company
is based in Neckarsulm. The product range of AUDI NSU AUTO UNION AG comprises eleven car models of the
Audi and NSU brands from 30 hp to 115 hp. The NSU Ro 80 stands for pioneering spirit through the use of
Wankel technology and a remarkable body shape, and in 1967 is the first German car to be named “Car of
the Year“.
