Steyr-Daimler-Puch was a large manufacturing conglomerate based in Steyr, Austria, which was broken up in stages between 1987 and 2001. The component parts and operations continued to exist under separate ownership and new names.
History
The company, initially known as Josef und Franz Werndl and Company was founded in 1864 as a rifle manufacturer. The company began producing bicycles in 1894. It grew rapidly during the First World War, by the end of which it employed 14,000 people. Steyr automobiles were made after 1918. In September 1917 Steyr recruited Hans Ledwinka, now remembered as one of the great automotive engineers of the twentieth century, but then relatively unknown, to the position of "Chefkonstrukteur", to lead the creation of their automobile manufacturing business.[1]
The first Steyr car, the six cylinder Type II "12/40" appeared in 1920. It was heavy and well-built, if a little cumbersome. It spawned sports versions with an impressive list of international achievements. The small but luxurious 1.5 L six Type XII of the late twenties won international motor press acclaim.
The company changed its name to Steyr-Werke AG in 1926. In 1934, Steyr merged with Austro-Daimler