Audi is a German luxury car manufacturer that has been in operation for over 100 years. The company was founded in 1909 by August Horch, and was initially known as Horch Automobil-Werke GmbH. The company was renamed Audi Automobilwerke GmbH in 1910, which is where the name Audi comes from. The company is currently headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Audi's early years were marked by a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 1920, Horch left the company, and in 1932, Audi was merged with three other companies to form Auto Union AG. The four rings in Audi's logo represent the four companies that formed Auto Union.

After World War II, Auto Union was nationalized by the East German government and was split into two separate companies. The Ingolstadt-based Audi factory was renamed Auto Union GmbH and was focused on producing small cars. West Germany's Auto Union AG was renamed Daimler-Benz AG and focused on producing luxury cars.

In 1964, Daimler-Benz AG sold the Ingolstadt-based Auto Union GmbH to Volkswagen Group. The company was renamed Audi NSU Auto Union AG and was focused on producing luxury cars. In 1969, the company was renamed Audi AG.

Throughout its history, Audi has been known for its innovative technology and design. The Audi 100, which was first introduced in 1968, was one of the first production cars to feature a fully galvanized body, which helped to prevent rust. The Audi Quattro, which was first introduced in 1980, was the first production car to feature all-wheel drive. And in 1994, Audi introduced the A8, which was the first production car to feature an aluminum space frame.

In recent years, Audi has expanded its product line to include a range of luxury SUVs and electric vehicles. The Q7, which was first introduced in 2005, was Audi's first luxury SUV. And in 2018, Audi introduced the e-tron, its first all-electric vehicle. Today, Audi continues to produce some of the most advanced and luxurious cars in the world, and is considered one of the most prestigious car brands.