In the middle of the 80s, a historical consciousness awoke in the GDR (German Democratic Republic) which included the technical brilliant achievement in the official representations.

The aim was the documentation of the performance of the automobile production in Zwickau including the manufacturing, technical and social-political aspects. The management of the company “VEB Sachsenring” (VEB = Volkseigener Betrieb; = people own company) decided to use the old dining hall in the cellar of the old Audi works for a lasting automobile exhibition.

These halls were used for assembly of the vehicles and for the engine production of Audi. After the Second World War the same halls have been used for controlling the goods arrival and the whole bookkeeping.
Key features of the museums development
January 30, 1986 first conference of the team »Automobilmuseum«
1988 opening of the exhibitions first part
May 15, 1990 After finishing the second part of the building phase the exhibition was handed over to the public.
exhibition objects: 12 vehicles and 6 engines
1991 – 1993 administration by the company »Auffanggesell-
schaft SAQ« due to the liquidation of the firm »Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau GmbH«
1993 / 1994 administration by the supporting association which was founded in 1992
1994 – 2000 administration by the company »Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau GmbH i. L.«
1997– 2000 negotiations between the BvS (= Bundesanstalt für vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben), the City of Zwickau and the AUDI AG
December 12, 2000 foundation of the »gemeinnützige August Horch Museum Zwickau GmbH« with the partners City of Zwickau and the AUDI AG, both holding 50 % of the shares; the aim is the running of the museum and the documentation of the automotive history of Zwickau
2001 international architectural contest with more than 800 participants
2002 – 2004 due to an investment of 13 million DM (6.6 million €) made by the AUDI AG the redevelopment and extension of the museum was possible
September 10, 2004 Grand opening of August Horch Museum in Zwickau. About 500 VIPs from industry and the political scene attending
2004 – 2005 Enlarged exhibition area made possible by reconstruction and new design of the former office building and »Horch Mansion«
September 28, 2005
 Exhibition opening in the former office building and »Horch Mansion«

Until 2004, the allowances made by the City of Zwickau and the »Kultur-raumförderung des Landes Sachsen« secured the keeping and extension
of the museum. Due to this engagement it was also possible to increase the number of vehicles from 30 to 70 and the collection of engines up to 72. Next to this, there are a lot of exhibition objects and archives of the surroundings of the automotive production.
 
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Exhibition in the former canteen of factory II (Sachsenring) after the opening in 1990
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»Old« exhibition in the former not renovated rooms of the August Horch Museum
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View to the office of the company founder August Horch
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The newly refurbished office building with exhibition rooms
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View into the museum yard between Horch Mansion and exhibition halls by night