Being home to modern vehicles, Germany is considered the most innovative and competitive country in terms of the Automotive industry. German automobile companies work meticulously to allure some of the best engineers around the globe, who then put their whole efforts into the work to manufacture the best cars for customers. The makers pay attention to every stage from planning to designing and from manufacturing to the testing process. The cars are not only tested on the smooth roads but they go through the worst possible roads that allow pushing the capabilities of the car to the limits.
The German automobile industry is the third highest in car production and fourth in total motor vehicle production, which leads them to an output of about six million annually. Their cars have won many competitions and awards including ‘the International Car of the Year’, ‘European Car of the Year’ and ‘the World Car of the Year’ several times among all countries. Additionally, two of their cars, ‘Beetle’ and ‘Porsche 911’ have secured fourth and fifth positions respectively in the Car of the Century Award.
According to the documents, the history of German automobiles started in 1870 with the production of the four-stroke internal combustion engine by Karl Benz and Nikolaus Otto. Soon after that, German began manufacturing motor cars and was producing about 900 cars a year. Since then, about 800,000 employees are working day and night to provide comfort and luxury to all car enthusiasts.
Every German car brand has a long history of ups and downs but still, they do their best in manufacturing more powerful and reliable vehicles with an appealing appearance.
So let’s know about some of the German car brands and look at their logos:
Audi
Founded: 1909
Founder: August Horch
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Ingolstadt, Germany
Owner: Volkswagen AG
Website: www.audi.com
Founded in 1909, this German car brand got the name from its founder’s surname, August Horch, which means ‘hear’ that changed to ‘Audi’ (to listen) in 1910. The first car, ‘Audi Type A’ was introduced in the same year. In 1932, Audi merged with Horch, DKW, and Wanderer to form Auto Union UG. During the same period, the brand launched the first European car to combine a six-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive; the Audi Front. Since 1966, this German luxury car brand has been a part of the Volkswagen Group.
Audi is known for luxury vehicles and believes in Advancement through technology. This German automobile company designs, engineers, produces, markets, and distributes vehicles around the world. Audi has 11 production facilities in nine countries with Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East being the key markets. China particularly has become the prime auto market because of its demand by the Chinese government for officials, which alone is responsible for 20% of its sales in the country. The market value of the German luxury car brand has never fallen on a lower scale. The sales keep on increasing with every new car launch.
The brand logo is the four ceiling rings, which represent the four owners of Auto Union AG. Among all the luxury cars by Audi, the most famous model based on the sales is Audi A1, Audi TT, Audi A6, Audi A3, and Audi A8.
Mercedes-Benz
Founded: 1926
Founder: Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Stuttgart, Germany
Owner: Daimler AG
Website: www.mercedes-benz.com
Mercedes-Benz traces its origin back to 1926, when the two oldest automotive manufacturers in the world, DMG, and Benz & Cie., fused to overcome the inflation and poor sales figures after World War I. Throughout the 1930s, this German car manufacturer produced the 770 model, a car that was famous during Germany’s Nazi period, and Adolf Hitler himself had driven it.
One of the oldest automakers in existence, Mercedes-Benz, is renowned for its limousines. This German luxury car brand has led the automotive market with a novel combination of style and technology and it perfectly defines luxury, class, and elegance. Ruling the market for almost a century, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a large number of luxury vehicles, buses, coaches, and Lorries for their customers. This German car company is recognized as the second most popular German car brand around the globe. The elegant, high-end and super classy limousines manufactured by Mercedes-Benz are an ideal illustration of a blend of beauty and performance.
The brand logo reflects the clarity, simplicity, and consistency of the cars. The royal black and silver colors used in the logo justify the brand name by giving the impression of elegance, integrity, perfection, sophistication, creativity, and purity. Mercedes-Benz has successfully sustained its popularity in the market and the most popular cars by this German brand include Mercedes Benz C-class, S-class, and limousine cars.
BMW
Founded: 1916
Founder: Franz Josef Popp and Karl Rapp
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Owner: Public float, Stefan Quandt, and Susanne Klatten
Website: www.bmw.com
Founded in 1916, BMW’s first product was the ‘BMW III a’ aircraft engine but soon after World War I, this German car company was forced to cease aircraft-engine production. Thereafter, to stand in the market, the company produced farm equipment, household items, and railway brakes. In 1923, BMW introduced its first motorcycle and after nine years in 1932, this German brand launched its first automobile, the ‘BMW 3/20’ that was designed entirely by BMW.
Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Works has accomplished their goal of providing ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ to their customers by manufacturing one of the most comfortable and stylish car ranges. Over the century, this German luxury car brand has worked really hard in improving the quality of its engines and put a lot of effort into quality. BMW manufactures a wide range of passenger cars, luxury cars, sports cars, SUVs, Pickup trucks and turns itself into an epitome of excellence. It also owns and produces Mini cars and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Additionally, until 1945, this German automobile company also produced aircraft engines.
The brand logo comprises three colors and all of them portray the ideal image of the company. The blue symbolizes the strength and reliability of its products, black represents the excellence and elegance of the brand, and white stands for charm and purity. Among all the models, BMW X-vehicles achieved the top sales worldwide.
Volkswagen
Founded: 1937
Founder: German Labour Front (DAF) and Adolf Hitler
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany
Owner: Volkswagen Group
Website: www.volkswagen.com
The company was founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front under Adolf Hitler. In mid-June 1945, mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle was started. Later in 1950, the Volkswagen Bus, now known as the “VW Bully”, goes into production and in January 1974 the first Golf was built at the Wolfsburg plant. Out of all models, Volkswagen Golf is still the most affordable one in Europe.
Known as the people’s car, Volkswagen manufactures automobiles that fit every budget. However, earlier the scenario was not the same. In the beginning, this German Car company produced cars that were entirely luxurious in nature. The budget for these cars was so high that out of 50 Germans only one German could afford them. Today, it is the car for every family. The trust and popularity of Volkswagen are not only limited to its native country, but this German car brand is equally popular in other countries too.
The parent company, Volkswagen Group, acquired twelve brands from seven European countries that include Lamborghini, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Porsche, Seat, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Škoda, Scania, and MAN. The brand logo has Blue and White colors, which represent excellence, reliability, class, and nobility, purity, charm respectively.
Porsche
Founded: 1931
Founder: Ferdinand Porsche
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Owner: Volkswagen AG
Website: www.porsche.com
Porsche specializes in hypercars, supercars, high-performance sports cars, SUVs, and sedans. This German car manufacturer brand is considered one of the most high-end brands in the world and surely gained a great reputation in the late 80s and early 90s. The company is owned by Volkswagen AG and got its first assignment to design a Volkswagen car only. This German car brand is not just about the creation of iconic timeless cars, it is also about people, those who delight in the experience of driving these mechanical marvels.
The company was found back in 1931 that initially offer motor vehicle development work and consulting. Porsche received their first car assignment from the German government to design Volkswagen Beetle. Later in 1939, Porsche 64 was developed. In 1964, after the success in motor racing, the company launched another sports car: the Porsche 911. The 911 has become Porsche’s most well-known model in 2017, this German car company built their one-millionth 911.
The brand logo has a black horse headlong at its center that shows an expression of forward putting power and the origin of the city note. Some of the best model by the company includes Porsche 911, Cayennes, Panameras, Macans, Boxster and Cayman cars.
Opel
Founded: 1862
Founder: Adam Opel
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Rüsselsheim, Hesse, Germany
Parent Company: Groupe PSA (Since 2017), General Motors (1929-2017)
Website: www.opel.com
Opel AG designs, engineers, manufactures, and distributes passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, and vehicle parts. This German car company sells its vehicles in the United Kingdom under the Vauxhall car brand. Together with Vauxhall, Opel is present in over 50 countries around the world. In the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China, the company sells under the Buick brand while in Australia and New Zealand products are sold under the Holden brand.
When the company was founded in 1862, it started the business with the production of sewing machines. In 1888, the company introduced a new product and started selling high-wheel bicycles. Later in 1899, Open launched their first car but unfortunately, the car was not very successful. After listing on the stock market in 1929 (Opel had a 37.5% market share in Germany), General Motors purchased 80% of the company and then full control in 1931. In March 2017, Groupe PSA acquires Opel from General Motor.
Alpina
Founded: 1965
Founder: Burkard Bovensiepen
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Buchloe, Germany
Parent Company: BMW
Website: www.alpina-automobile.de
Alpina is known for manufacturing and selling high-performance versions of BMW cars. The processes of this German car brand are much integrated into BMW’s production lines. Due to its close relations with BMW, the German Ministry of Transport recognized Alpina as an automobile manufacturer that is in contrast to the other performance specialists which are aftermarket turners. Although this German car company isn’t much popular, it still delivers superior performance because of the recognition given to it.
Alpina was established in 1965 with the BMW tuning business. In the beginning, this German automobile company revised cylinder heads and worked on Carburetors. During the period of 1968 to 1977, Alpina did well in the Car Championships but due to the capacity limitations & restrictions, it withdrew from racing. Before coming to the automobile business, Alpina produced typewriters. However, because of its attempt to move into the textile business, the company ceased at the end of the 1960s.
The interesting fact about this brand is that the Alpina B7 was manufactured at the same assembly line as the BMW’s own 7 series. Even Cars of this German brand can be serviced at any BMW dealerships and covered if there is a warranty issue.
Isdera
Founded: 1969
Founder: Eberhard Schulz
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Hildesheim, Germany
Parent Company: Not Known
Website: www.isdera.de
Isdera is a privately run German sports car brand that style, design, and manufacture high-performance hand-built racing cars. Every car from this brand has something unique because each one is custom-built for its original buyer. Isdera has a small team of craftsmen that work day and night to fulfill their customer’s imagination into a walking reality. The only way to purchase a brand new car from this German automobile manufacturer is to call the CEO directly and then the customer has to wait for a minimum next six months.
The first Isdera was introduced in 1969, ‘Erator GTE’, which was based on a Ford GT40. To an estimate, this German car brand has sold 70 cars and since 1993, the projects have been kept top secret. Even the latest sales figures and recent automotive ventures have not been released to the general public. The most popular car in the history of this German automaker is the 1993 Isdera Commendatore 112i. In 1997, one of the brand’s vehicles appeared in the popular racing video game ‘Need for Speed II’.
Apollo Automobil
Founded: 2004
Founder: Roland Gumpert
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Altenburg, Thuringia, Germany
Owner: Ideal Team Ventures Limited
Website: www.apollo-automobil.com
Apollo Automobil is a German sports car brand that was formerly known as Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH. Being in the business for only 15 years, this German company has yet not gained universal popularity like other German brands. However, the company has produced a number of advanced cars that have marked their appearances in the UK’s Top Gear. By breaking the records of Bugatti Veyron and Pagani Zonda, this German car brand has proved its powerful technology and unbeatable speed.
Apollo Automobil was found by former Audi Director Roland Gumpert. The production of the Apollo was started in 2005 and many variants of the Apollo were introduced throughout its production cycle. The Gumpert Apollo, Apollo Sport, and the Apollo Race are only available in the markets of the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. They are planning to start export to the Asian region, Australia and Russia very soon.
The Griffin image on the brand logo represents the mastery of land and air, which eventually defines Apollo’s speed in acceleration to the air and high performance on the road.
Bitter Cars
Founded: 1971
Founder: Erich Bitter
Current Status: Running
Headquarters: Schwelm, Germany
Owner: Not Known
Website: www.bitter-automotive.de
Bitter Cars is a premium sports-luxury car manufacturer, which specializes in rebuilding other manufacturer’s vehicles. After ending business ventures with Italian manufacture Intermeccanica, Erich Bitter, a former racing driver began crafting his own vehicles and founded this German car brand.
The company’s initial production was between 1973 and 1989, selling vehicles in Europe and the United States. After that numerous prototypes followed with an eye on resuming low-volume production, but none of those plans came to implementation until the launch of the Bitter Vero in 2007.
There are many other German car brands that are still doing good business in the automotive market:
Daimler AG (2007-Present)
Website: www.daimler.com
Smart (1994-Present)
Website: www.smart.com
AMG (1967-Present)
Website: www.mercedes-amg.com
Brabus (1977-Present)
Website: www.brabus.com
TechArt (1987-Present)
Website: www.techart.de
Mansory (1989-Present)
Website: www.mansory.com
9FF (2001-Present)
Website: www.9ff.com
Borgward (1919-Present)
Website: www.borgward.com
Most of the above-mentioned car brands are recognized as the most popular automobile makers in the world. They speak luxury and deliver high performance anywhere and everywhere. We tried our best to compile all the major and minor German car brands. Hope it will help you with your next car purchase.