Horch was a German car manufacturer, which traced its roots to several companies founded in the very late 19th and early 20th century by August Horch. By the end of the nineteenth century several companies in Germany were already building cars. Among them was August Horch & Cie., established on 14 November 1899 in Cologne. August Horch was one of the pioneer figures of automotive engineering. Before setting up business on his own, he worked for Carl Benz in Mannheim for three years as Head of Automobile Production. In 1904 August Horch moved his business to the town of Zwickau and transformed it into a share-issuing company. Following differences between the Executive and Supervisory Boards, August Horch left his company in 1909.
Horch – Dates in history
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August Horch (seated, with peaked cap) pictured with the first workers recruited for his engine factory in Cologne 1868 – Born in Winningen (Moselle) on October 12, 1868. Apprentice and journeyman smith, Technical studies in Mittweida, Plant engineer for an engine manufacturer
- 1896 – Worked for Benz in Mannheim until 1899 as manager of the Motor-Vehicle Assembly Department
- 1899 – Opened his own workshop in Cologne
- 1899 – August Horch & Cie established on November 14 in Cologne by August Horch
- 1902 – Business transferred to Reichenbach, in the Vogtland region
- 1902 – August Horch & Cie Motor- und Motorwagenbau set up in Reichenbach on March 3
- 1904 – Establishment of A. HORCH Motorwagenwerke AG in Zwickau
- 1904 – August Horch Motorwagenwerke AG established on May 10 in Zwickau
- 1909 – Dispute and departure; AUDI factory set up in Zwickau
- 1909 – August Horch withdraws from the company
- 1912/1914 – Triumphant success for AUDI cars in the world’s toughest competition events
- 1918 – Change of name to Horchwerke AG Zwickau on February 16; capital 3 million Marks
- 1920 – Horch moved to Berlin and acted as an expert and consultant on technical automotive matters
- 1920/1932 – Between 1920 and its liquidation on June 29, 1932, HORCH Werke AG belongs to Argus-Flugmotorenwerke, Berlin. Throughout this period, the HORCH management is based in Berlin, on Mittelstrasse 15. Capital: 5 million RM
- 1922 – Awarded honorary doctorate by Braunschweig College of Advanced Technology on February 20
- 1932 – Member of the Supervisory Board of AUTO UNION AG in Chemnitz
- 1944 – Bombed out several times in Berlin; moved to Langenhessen in Saxony
- 1945 – Fled to Upper Franconia, finally taking up residence in Münchberg
- 1949/1950 – Helped to set up the new AUTO UNION in Ingolstadt
- 1951 – August Horch died on February 3 in Münchberg, at the age of 83
Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941) was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling from 1888 to 1918.
Also See : Horch Motorcars (1920-1939)