You know what you’re looking for when you want to buy a car in Germany. Sometimes it can be challenging to determine which German car brands are right for you.
After all, when you visit a car dealer in Munich or Berlin, dozens of German car brands are available. Each with its loyal fan base.
If you’re not sure where to start your search, check out this list of German car brands. This list includes details about many of the most famous German auto manufacturers today.
1. Daimler AG
Daimler AG is one of German carmaker that invented several German car brands. Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach founded Damlier AG in 1890.
One of these companies included Mercedes-Benz, which produces luxury cars and commercial vehicles.
Besides being known for luxury cars and buses, it also manufactures trucks and other heavy vehicles.
A subsidiary called Daimler Financial Services offers financing services.
In addition to vehicle brands under its name, Daimler owns 60 percent of Freightliner LLC.
This is one of North America’s largest truck manufacturers—and 20 percent of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFBC). They manufacture and sell light-duty commercial trucks in Asia.
2. Porsche AG
The Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer Porsche is one of the most famous German car brands.
Ferdinand Porsche 1931 founded Porsche. From 1950 to 1978, Porsche cars took part in Formula One races.
They won several championships and earned an all-time high of 14 pole positions. In addition to sporty vehicles, Porsche has been producing luxurious sedans since 1963. Since 2007.
It is owns by Volkswagen AG (V.W.). V.W. owns Audi and Bugatti Automobiles S.A., another famous luxury car brand from France.
3. Volkswagen Group
The next on our list of German car brands Is Volkswagen Group or VWG. This comprises various automobile manufacturers, suppliers, and even financial institutions.
The mother company, known as Volkswagen Aktienge sellschaft or simply Volkswagen AG (VWAG).
Meanwhile, it was created in 1938, and its headquarter is in Wolfsburg. In turn, VWAG comprises twelve different companies within its Volkswagen Group branch. Five are automotive brands, and three are motor-related divisions.
Also, two are vehicle-service providers; one each for financial services/car insurance/re-sale services and lastly retailing/leasing; plus one corporation acts as an information technology provider to several others.
4. Opel
Opel (known as Adam Opel AG until 1984). It is one of the significant international German car brands headquartered in Rüsselsheim, Hesse, Germany.
It began selling vehicles in their current form in 1929 and was later acquired by General Motors (G.M.) in 2017.
Meanwhile, the company designs, engineers, manufactures and distributes Opel-branded passenger vehicles sold under the Opel brand. And Vauxhall-branded passenger vehicles are sold under the Vauxhall marque.
5. Audi
Audi is a famous luxury brand, owned by Volkswagen (V.W.) for many years, but it has since become its own company again.
The word Audi is Latin for hearing and listening to your favorite songs. Meanwhile, the Audi logo incorporates four rings representing these four car companies: DKW, Horch, Wanderer, and Audi. Audi vehicles are made primarily in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.
They were also manufactured in Gyor, Hungary, and Brussels, Belgium. In addition to automobiles, Audi makes motorcycles and engines.
They have won several awards, including three Le Man’s 24-hour races and 13 Formula One races.
In 2010, Forbes named Audi #1 on their list of Top 10 Most Reputable Companies in Europe.
6. BMW
BMW is a leading luxury car manufacturer and one of the largest German car brands. The company was established in 1916 and has since contributed to automobile racing.
It is also among Europe’s most valuable brands, with around $75 billion in market capitalization. Other German car brands include Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen Group, and Opel.
BMW Is such an essential industry for Germany—and specifically Bavaria. The news about its commitment to electric cars is more than welcome.
7. Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a well-known luxury automobile brand and a division of Daimler AG.
Founded in 1885 by Karl Benz, and has grown to become one of the most famous German car brands in the world.
The company sells all over Europe and Asia, with North America as its second-largest market.
Although based in Germany, Mercedes-Benz produces many cars worldwide. Some Mercedes models are badged as both Daimler and Maybach depending on where they are made.
And again, among celebrities, film stars, and business people alike, several famous Mercedes owners.
These have used their vehicle for movie roles or appearances. However, when it comes to fuel efficiency and performance, not all Mercedes cars perform equally.
8. Ford
Ford employed 6,847 employees worldwide and had a production volume of 2.1 million units in 2017. It is one of the biggest German car brands.
The Ford subsidiary, Ford-Werke GmbH, produces all Ford passenger cars at plants in Cologne and Saarlouis.
In addition to producing vehicles for its brands, Ford-Werke also manufactures cars for other companies under contract.
For example, it manufactures Jaguar Land Rover models for Jaguar Land Rover Deutschland GmbH & Co. K.G. And Volvo models for Volvo Cars Deutschland GmbH & Co. K.G. (Volvo).
In addition to manufacturing automobiles, Ford-Werke also assembles trucks and commercial vehicles. It produced more than 463,000 trucks and commercial vehicles in 2017.
This includes vans like Transit Connect and Fuso products. Such as trucks like Transporter and N250 Campervans that were exported to markets around the world, including Japan, China, Australia, etc
Conclusion
Owning a car is an investment many people would like to make, but finding your perfect match can be confusing.
This list takes some of the stress out by providing a detailed analysis of many well-known German car brands.
It might not answer all your questions, but it should give you enough information to get started on your search for a great car.
