Austin Motor Company

The Austin Motor Company Limited was a British manufacturer of motor vehicles, founded in 1905 by Herbert Austin in Longbridge, Worcestershire. It began as a producer of luxury cars but soon expanded into mass-market models, most notably the Austin Seven, one of the earliest inexpensive small cars aimed at a broad audience. Austin became a public listed company in 1914 and grew significantly during the First World War through government contracts. After a receivership in 1921, the company recovered under a triumvirate of Herbert Austin, finance director Ernest Payton, and works director Carl Engelbach. In 1952, Austin merged with Morris Motors Limited to form the British Motor Corporation (BMC), while retaining its separate marque identity. The Austin brand continued under BMC's successors, British Leyland and Rover Group, until 1987. The trademark is currently owned by the Chinese firm SAIC Motor, after being transferred from bankrupt subsidiary Nanjing Automotive, which had acquired it with MG Rover Group in July 2005. Today, the Austin name survives as a heritage brand under SAIC, though it is not actively used for new car production.

The Austin Motor Company was founded in 1905 by Herbert Austin, who had previously built cars under the Wolseley name. After falling out with the Vickers brothers over engine design, Austin secured backing from steel magnate Frank Kayser and acquired a disused printing works in Longbridge, Worcestershire. The company was incorporated in December 1905, and its first car, a conventional four-cylinder model, was shown in April 1906. Early Austin cars were luxury vehicles, with customers including Russian Grand Dukes and British nobility. In 1914, Austin became a public listed company and ranked among Britain's top car producers. During the First World War, the company expanded massively, fulfilling government contracts for aircraft, shells, heavy guns, and trucks, with the workforce growing from about 2,500 to 22,000. After the war, Austin pursued a one-model policy based on the 20 hp engine, but sales were insufficient, leading to receivership in 1921. The company recovered under Herbert Austin, finance director Ernest Payton, and works director Carl Engelbach. In 1922, Austin introduced the Twelve and the Seven, the latter becoming one of the earliest mass-market small cars. The Seven was also built under licence by BMW as the Dixi. Austin continued to produce a range of models and became part of the British Motor Corporation in 1952 through a merger with Morris Motors. The Austin marque was used by BMC's successors, British Leyland and Rover Group, until 1987. The trademark was later acquired by Nanjing Automotive in 2005 and subsequently transferred to SAIC Motor, which currently owns it.

• 2005

  Trademark acquired by Nanjing Automotive with MG Rover Group.

• 1987

  Austin marque discontinued by Rover Group.

• 1952

  Merger with Morris Motors to form British Motor Corporation (BMC).

• 1922

  Austin Seven introduced, one of the earliest mass-market small cars.

• 1921

  Company enters receivership.

• 1914

  Austin becomes a public listed company.

• 1906

  First Austin car shown to the public.

• 1905

  The Austin Motor Company Limited incorporated in Longbridge.

Mass-market and luxury automobiles; historically one of Britain's largest car makers.

• Austin 15/20 hp

  Early four-cylinder model with chain drive.

• Austin 20 hp

  Post-WWI one-model policy car.

• Austin Twelve

  1661 cc car introduced in 1922.

• Austin Seven

  Inexpensive small car, also built under licence by BMW as Dixi.

• 2026-08-12

  Bunkhouse Hotels launches 'Vote Y'all' voter registration campaign in Austin[2]Bunkhouse Hotels在奥斯汀推出“Vote Y'all”选民登记活动travelwires.com

  Reported: 2026-08-12

  Bunkhouse Hotels launched the 'Vote Y'all' civic engagement initiative with MOVE Texas to encourage Texans to register to vote ahead of the October 2026 deadline, hosting weekly registration events at Austin Motel and Carpenter Hotel plus social media activations, limited-edition merchandise and three Austin billboards.

1. 1Austin Motor Company - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Bunkhouse Hotels在奥斯汀推出“Vote Y'all”选民登记活动travelwires.com