DKW Logo

Brand History

The DKW Story

DKW was founded in Zschopau, Germany, by Danish engineer Jørgen Skafte Rasmussen, whose company adopted the DKW name (from Dampf-Kraft-Wagen, 'steam-powered car') in the late 1910s. It became the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer by the late 1920s and a pioneer of small two-stroke, front-wheel-drive cars. DKW was one of the four companies that merged in 1932 to form Auto Union, whose four-ring emblem survives on today's Audis; the brand was retired in 1966 as two-stroke engines fell from favor.

Logo History

Evolution Of The DKW Logo

Model Evolution

DKW Through The Years

5 milestone models from 1931 to 1964.

1931

1939

1956

1959

1964