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Audi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Private company

Type (FWB Xetra: NSU)

Industry , (16 July Founded 1909)[1]

Founder(s) August Headquarters , Germany Production locations: Germany: Ingolstadt & Number of Hungary: Győr locations : Brussels China: Changchun India: Aurangabad : Curitiba Area served Worldwide Key people Chairman of the Board of Management, Wolfgang Egger of Design Products Automobiles, Production 1,143,902 units (2010) output (only Audi brand) €35.441 billion (2010) Revenue (US$52.57 billion USD) (including subsidiaries) €1.850 billion (2009)

Profit (US$2.74 billion USD) €16.832 billion (2009)

Total assets (US$25 billion USD) €3.451 billion (2009)

Total equity (US$5.12 billion USD) Employees 46,372 (2009)[2]

Parent Group  Audi do Brasil e Cia (Curitiba, Brazil)  Audi Hungaria Motor Kft. (Györ, Hungary)  Audi Senna Ltda. (Brazil)  Automobili

Subsidiaries Holding S.p.A (Sant'Agata Bolognese, )  Autogerma S.p.A. (Verona, Italy)  quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm, Germany)

Website audi.com

Audi AG (Xetra: NSU) is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand (German pronunciation: [ˈaʊdi]), positioned as the premium brand within the .[3]

The company is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany, and has been a wholly owned (99.55%)[4] subsidiary of Volkswagen AG since 1966, following a phased purchase of its predecessor, , from its former owner, Daimler-Benz. Volkswagen relaunched the Audi brand with the 1965 introduction of the Audi F103 series.

The company name is based the surname of , his surname meaning listen in German—which, when translated into Latin, becomes Audi. The four rings each represent individual companies that banded together to create the union.

Contents

[hide]

 1 Within Volkswagen Group  2 History o 2.1 Birth of the company and its name o 2.2 Auto Union era o 2.3 Post–World War II o 2.4 New Auto Union unit o 2.5 Modern era o 2.6 Audi 5000 unintended acceleration o 2.7 Audi AG today  3 Technology o 3.1 Bodyshells o 3.2 Drive layout o 3.3 o 3.4 o 3.5 o 3.6 Direct-Shift Gearbox o 3.7 Fuel Stratified Injection o 3.8 Electric technology o 3.9 LED daytime running lights o 3.10  4 Engines  5 Models o 5.1 Current model range . 5.1.1 S (Sport) models . 5.1.2 RS (RennSport/Racing) models . 5.1.3 Current model range engines o 5.2 Discontinued models o 5.3 Historical models o 5.4 Concept models o 5.5 Prototype models  6 Production figures (1998–2010)  7 Motorsports o 7.1 o 7.2 In the USA o 7.3 Touring o 7.4 racing  8 Marketing o 8.1 Logos o 8.2 Slogans o 8.3 Sponsorships o 8.4 campaign o 8.5 Typography o 8.6 In video games o 8.7 Audi TDI o 8.8 Audi e-tron  9 References  10 External links

[edit] Within Volkswagen Group

The largest shareholder of Audi AG is Volkswagen AG, which holds over 99 percent of the share capital. Volkswagen AG includes the consolidated accounts of Audi AG in its own financial statements. In recent years, the possibility of Audi being spun off or otherwise divested by Volkswagen has been mooted.[5]

From 2002 up to 2007, Audi headed the Audi Brand Group, the Volkswagen Group's automotive sub-division, consisted of Audi together with SEAT and Lamborghini, that was focused on more sporty values, with the marques' product vehicles and performance being under the higher responsibility of the Audi brand.[6][7][8] [edit] History

[edit] Birth of the company and its name

Audi Type E

On the 14th of November 1899, August Horch (1868–1951) established the company A. Horch & Cie. in the Ehrenfeld district of , but because dispute between him and the supervisory board, he had to leave the company. A few years later, he established a second company, Horch Automobil-Werke GmbH. The company traces its origins back to 1909 and August Horch. The first Audi automobile, the Audi Type A 10/22 hp (16 kW) Sport-Phaeton, was produced in 1910 in Zwickau.[9]

In 1909, Horch was forced out of the company he had founded.[10] He then started a new company in Zwickau and continued using the Horch brand. His former partners sued him for trademark infringement, and the German Supreme Court (Reichsgericht in ),[11] finally determined that the Horch brand belonged to his former company.[10]

Since August Horch was barred from using "Horch" as a trade name in his new car business, he called a meeting with close business friends, Paul and Franz Fikentscher from Zwickau, Germany. At the apartment of Franz Fikentscher, they discussed how to come up with a new name for the company. During this meeting, Franz's son was quietly studying Latin in a corner of the room. Several times he looked like he was on the verge of saying something but would just swallow his words and continue working, until he finally blurted out, "Father – audiatur et altera pars... wouldn't it be a good idea to call it audi instead of horch?"[12] "Horch!" in German means "Hark!" or "hear", which is "Audi" in the singular imperative form of "audire" - "to listen" - in Latin. The idea was enthusiastically accepted by everyone attending the meeting.[13] The first Audi car, the Type B, 10/28PS was delivered early in 1910.[14] Audi started with a 2,612 cc inline-four model[clarification needed] followed by a 3,564 cc model, as well as 4,680 cc and 5,720 cc models. These cars were successful even in sporting events. The first six- model,[clarification needed] 4,655 cc appeared in 1924.

August Horch left the Audi company in 1920 for a high position at the ministry of transport, but he was still involved with Audi as a member of the board of trustees. In September 1921, Audi became the first German car manufacturer to present a production car, the Audi Type K, with left-handed drive.[15] Left-hand drive spread and established dominance during the 1920s because it provided a better view of oncoming traffic, making overtaking safer.[15]

[edit] Auto Union era

Main article: Auto Union

In August 1928, Jørgen Rasmussen, the owner of Dampf-Kraft-Wagen (DKW), acquired the majority of shares in Audiwerke AG.[16] In the same year, Rasmussen bought the remains of the U.S. automobile manufacturer Rickenbacker, including the manufacturing equipment for eight- cylinder engines. These engines were used in Audi Zwickau and Audi Dresden models that were launched in 1929. At the same time, six-cylinder and four-cylinder (licensed from ) models were manufactured. Audi cars of that era were luxurious cars equipped with special bodywork.

In 1932, Audi merged with Horch, DKW, and , to form Auto Union. It was during this period that the company offered the that became the first European car to combine a six-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive. It used a powertrain shared with the Wanderer, but turned 180-degrees, so that the faced the front.

Before World War II, Auto Union used the four interlinked rings that make up the Audi badge today, representing these four brands. This badge was used, however, only on Auto Union racing cars in that period while the member companies used their own names and emblems. The technological development became more and more concentrated and some Audi models were propelled by Horch or Wanderer built engines.

Reflecting the economic pressures of the time, Auto Union concentrated increasingly on smaller cars through the 1930s, so that by 1938 the company's DKW brand accounted for 17.9% of the German car market, while Audi held only 0.1%.

[edit] Post–World War II

Like most German manufacturing, at the onset of World War II the Auto Union plants were retooled for military production, and were a target for allied bombing during the war, leaving them damaged.

Overrun by the Soviet Army in 1945, on the orders of the military administration the factories were dismantled as part of war reparations.[17] Following this, the company's entire assets were expropriated without compensation.[17] On 17 August 1948, Auto Union AG of was deleted from the commercial register.[16] These actions had the effect of liquidating Germany's Auto Union AG. The remains of the Audi plant of Zwickau became the VEB (for "People Owned Enterprise") Automobilwerk Zwickau or AWZ (in English: Automobile Works Zwickau).[18]

The former Audi factory in Zwickau restarted assembly of the pre-war-models in 1949. These DKW models were renamed to IFA F8 and IFA F9 and were similar to the West German versions. West and East German models were equipped with the traditional and renowned DKW two-stroke engines.

[edit] New Auto Union unit

A new West German headquartered Auto Union was launched in Ingolstadt, with loans from the Bavarian state government and Marshall Plan aid.[19] The reformed company was launched 3 September 1949 and continued DKW's tradition of producing front-wheel drive vehicles with two-stroke engines.[17] This included production of a small but sturdy 125 cc and a DKW delivery , the DKW F 89 L at Ingolstadt. The Ingolstadt site was large, consisting of an extensive complex of formerly military buildings which was suitable for administration as well as vehicle warehousing and distribution, but at this stage there was at Ingolstadt no dedicated plant suitable for production of automobiles: for manufacturing the company's first post-war mass-market passenger car plant capacity in Düsseldorf was rented from -Borsig. It was only ten years later, after the company had attracted an investor that funds became available for construction of major car plant at the Ingolstadt head office site.

In 1958 Daimler-Benz took an 87% holding in the Auto Union company, and this was increased to a 100% holding in 1959. However, small two-stroke cars were not the focus of Daimler- Benz's interests, and while the early 1960s saw major investment in new models and in a state of the art factory for Auto Union's, the company's aging model range at this time did not benefit from the economic boom of the early 1960s to the same extent as competitor manufacturers such as Volkswagen and . The decision to dispose of the Auto Union business was based on its lack of profitability.[20] Ironically, by the time they sold the business it also included a large new factory and near production-ready modern four-stroke engine, which would enable the Auto Union business, under a new owner and with the benefit of a rediscovered name, Audi.

In 1964, Volkswagen acquired a 50% holding in the business, which included the new factory in Ingolstadt and the trademark rights of the Auto Union. Eighteen months later, Volkswagen bought complete control of Ingolstadt, and by 1966 were using the spare capacity of the Ingolstadt plant to assemble an additional 60,000 Volkswagen Beetles per year.[21] Two-stroke engines became less popular during the 1960s as customers were more attracted to the smoother four-stroke engines. In September 1965, the DKW F102 was fitted with a four-stroke engine and a for the car's front and rear. Volkswagen dumped the DKW brand because of its associations with two-stroke technology, and having classified the model internally as the F103, sold it simply as the "Audi." Later developments of the model were named after their ratings and sold as the Audi 60, 75, 80, and Super 90, selling until 1972.

Audi 80 assembly line in , 1973

In 1969, Auto Union merged with NSU, based in Neckarsulm, near . In the 1950s, NSU had been the world's largest manufacturer of , but had moved on to produce small cars like the NSU Prinz, the TT and TTS versions of which are still popular as vintage race cars. NSU then focused on new rotary engines based on the ideas of . In 1967, the new NSU Ro 80 was a car well ahead of its time in technical details such as aerodynamics, light weight, and safety. However, teething problems with the rotary engines put an end to the independence of NSU. The Neckarsulm plant is now used to produce the larger Audi models A6 and A8. The Neckarsulm factory is also home of the quattro GmbH, a subsidiary responsible for development and production of Audi high-performance models: the R8 and the "RS" model range.

The mid-sized car that NSU had been working on, the K70, was intended to slot between the rear-engined Prinz models and the futuristic NSU Ro 80. However, Volkswagen took the K70 for its own range, spelling the end of NSU as a separate brand.

[edit] Modern era

The new merged company was known as Audi NSU Auto Union AG, and saw the emergence of Audi as a separate brand for the first time since the pre-war era. Volkswagen introduced the Audi brand to the for the 1970 model year.

The first new car of this regime was the of 1968. This was soon joined by the /Fox (which formed the basis for the 1973 ) in 1972 and the (later rebadged as the ) in 1974. The Audi 50 was a seminal design because it was the first incarnation of the /Polo concept, one that led to a hugely successful world car.

Audi Quattro

The Audi image at this time was a conservative one, and so, a proposal from engineer Jörg Bensinger[22] was accepted to develop the four-wheel drive technology in Volkswagen's Iltis military vehicle for an Audi performance car and rally racing car. The performance car, introduced in 1980, was named the "", a turbocharged coupé which was also the first German large-scale production vehicle to feature permanent all-wheel drive through a centre differential. Commonly referred to as the "Ur-Quattro" (the "Ur-" prefix is a German augmentative used, in this case, to mean "original" and is also applied to the first generation of Audi's S4 and S6 Sport Saloons, as in "UrS4" and "UrS6"), few of these vehicles were produced (all hand-built by a single team), but the model was a great success in rallying. Prominent wins proved the viability of all-wheel drive racecars, and the Audi name became associated with advances in automotive technology.

In 1985, with the Auto Union and NSU brands effectively dead, the company's official name was now shortened to simply Audi AG.

In 1986, as the Passat-based Audi 80 was beginning to develop a kind of "grandfather's car" image, the type 89 was introduced. This completely new development sold extremely well. However, its modern and dynamic exterior belied the low performance of its base engine, and its base package was quite spartan (even the passenger-side mirror was an option.) In 1987, Audi put forward a new and very elegant Audi 90, which had a much superior set of standard features. In the early 1990s, sales began to slump for the Audi 80 series, and some basic construction problems started to surface.

Audi R8

In the early part of the 21st century, Audi set forth on a German racetrack to claim and maintain several world records, such as speed endurance. This effort was in-line with the company's heritage from the 1930s racing era .

Through the early 1990s, Audi began to shift its target market upscale to compete against German automakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW. This began with the release of the in 1990. It was essentially a new engine fitted to the Audi 100/200, but with noticeable bodywork differences. Most obvious was the new grille that was now incorporated in the bonnet. By 1991, Audi had the four-cylinder Audi 80, the 5-cylinder Audi 90 and Audi 100, the turbocharged Audi 200 and the Audi V8. There was also a version of the 80/90 with both 4- and 5-cylinder engines.

Although the five-cylinder engine was a successful and robust powerplant, it was still a little too different for the target market. With the introduction of an all-new Audi 100 in 1992, Audi introduced a 2.8L . This engine was also fitted to a face-lifted Audi 80 (all 80 and 90 models were now badged 80 except for the USA), giving this model a choice of four-, five-, and six-cylinder engines, in Saloon, Coupé and Cabriolet body styles.

The five-cylinder was soon dropped as a major engine choice; however, a turbocharged 230 hp (169 kW) version remained. The engine, initially fitted to the 200 quattro 20V of 1991, was a derivative of the engine fitted to the Sport Quattro. It was fitted to the Audi Coupé, and named the S2 and also to the Audi 100 body, and named the S4. These two models were the beginning of the mass-produced S series of performance cars.

[edit] Audi 5000 unintended acceleration

Sales in the United States fell after a series of recalls from 1982 to 1987 of Audi 5000 models[23] associated with reported incidents of sudden unintended acceleration linked to six deaths and 700 accidents.[23] At the time, NHTSA was investigating 50 car models from 20 manufacturers for sudden surges of .[24]

A 60 Minutes report aired 23 November 1986,[25] featuring interviews with six people who had sued Audi after reporting unintended acceleration, showing an Audi 5000 ostensibly suffering a problem when the pedal was pushed.[26][27] Subsequent investigation revealed that 60 Minutes had engineered the failure – fitting a canister of compressed air on the passenger-side floor, linked via a hose to a hole drilled into the .[25]

Audi contended, prior to findings by outside investigators,[24] that the problems were caused by driver error, specifically pedal misapplication.[24] Subsequently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that the majority of unintended acceleration cases, including all the ones that prompted the 60 Minutes report, were caused by driver error such as confusion of pedals.[28] CBS did not acknowledge the test results of involved government agencies, but did acknowledge the similar results of another study.[26]

With the series of recall campaigns, Audi made several modifications; the first adjusted the distance between the brake and accelerator pedal on automatic-transmission models.[23] Later repairs, of 250,000 cars dating back to 1978, added a device requiring the driver to press the brake pedal before shifting out of park.[23] A legacy of the Audi 5000 and other reported cases of sudden unintended acceleration are intricate gear stick patterns and brake interlock mechanisms to prevent inadvertent shifting into forward or reverse.

Audi's U.S. sales, which had reached 74,061 in 1985, dropped to 12,283 in 1991 and remained level for three years.[23] – with resale values falling dramatically.[29] Audi subsequently offered increased warranty protection[29] and renamed the affected models – with the 5000 becoming the 100 and 200 in 1989[24] – and only reached the same sales levels again by model year 2000.[23]

A 2010 BusinessWeek article – outlining possible parallels between Audi's experience and 2009– 2010 vehicle recalls – noted a class-action lawsuit filed in 1987 by about 7,500 Audi 5000-model owners remains unsettled and is currently being contested in county court in Chicago after appeals at the Illinois state and U.S. federal levels.[23]

[edit] Audi AG today

Audi plant in Aurangabad, India

Audi's sales grew strongly in the 2000s, with deliveries to customers increasing from 653,000 in 2000 to 1,003,000 in 2008. The largest sales increases came from Eastern (+19.3%), (+17.2%) and the Middle East (+58.5%). China in particular has become a key market, representing 108,000 out of 705,000 cars delivered in the first three quarters of 2009. One factor for its popularity in China is that have become the car of choice for purchase by the Chinese government for officials, and purchases by the government are responsible for 20% of its sales in China.[30] As of late 2009, Audi's operating profit of €1.17-billion ($1.85-billion) made it the biggest contributor to parent Volkswagen Group's nine-month operating profit of €1.5-billion, while the other marques in Group such as and Seat had suffered considerable losses.[31]

Audi has 7 manufacturing plants around the world: Ingolstadt, Germany since 1969, Neckarsulm, Germany since 1969, Bratislava, Slovakia since 2005, Györ, Hungary, Changchun, China since 1995, Brussels, Belgium since 2007, Aurangabad, India since 2006.[32] [edit] Technology

[edit] Bodyshells

Audi produces 100% galvanised cars to prevent corrosion,[33] and was the first mass-market vehicle to do so, following introduction of the process by , c.1975. Along with other precautionary measures, the full-body zinc coating has proved to be very effective in preventing rust. The body's resulting durability even surpassed Audi's own expectations, causing the manufacturer to extend its original 10-year warranty against corrosion perforation to currently 12 years (except for aluminium bodies which don't rust).[34]

An all-aluminium car was brought forward by Audi, and in 1994 the was launched, which introduced aluminium space frame technology (called Audi Space Frame). Audi introduced a new series of vehicles in the mid-1990s and continues to new technology and high performance. Prior to that effort, Audi used examples of the Type 44 chassis fabricated out of aluminium as test-beds for the technique.

[edit] Drive layout

In all its post Volkswagen-era models, Audi has firmly refused to adopt the traditional rear- wheel drive layout favored by its two arch rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW, favoring either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The majority of Audi's lineup in the United States features all-wheel drive standard on most of its expensive vehicles (only the entry-level trims of the A4 and A6 are available with front-wheel drive), in contrast to Mercedes-Benz and BMW whose lineup treats all-wheel drive as an option. BMW only offered all-wheel drive on its V8-powered cars (as opposed to crossover SUVs) starting with the 2010 BMW 7 Series and 2011 BMW 5 Series, while the Audi A8 has had all-wheel drive available/standard since the 1990s. Regarding high-performance variants, Audi S and RS models have always had all-wheel drive, unlike their direct rivals from BMW M and Mercedes-AMG whose cars are rear-wheel drive only (although their performance crossover SUVs are all-wheel drive).

For most of its lineup (excluding the A3, A1, and TT models), Audi has not adopted the layout which is typically found in economy cars (as well as more upscale European manufacturers such as Peugeot and ), since that would limit the type and power of engines that can be installed. In order to be able to mount powerful engines (such as a in the and Audi RS4), Audi has usually engineered its more expensive cars with a longitudinally front-mounted engine, in an "overhung" position, over the front wheels in front of the axle line. While this allows for the easy adoption of all-wheel drive, it goes against the ideal 50:50 weight distribution (as do all front wheel drive cars).

Audi has recently applied the quattro badge to models such as the A3 and TT which do not use the -based system as in prior years with a mechanical center differential, but with the Swedish electro-mechanical AWD system.

[edit] Space frame

Replacing the Audi V8 in 1994, the Audi A8 debuted with an aluminium space frame (the "Audi Space Frame" or ASF) which saves weight and improves torsion rigidity compared to a conventional steel frame. The weight reduction is somewhat offset by the quattro four-wheel drive system which is standard in most markets. Nonetheless, the A8 is usually the lightest all- wheel drive car in the full-size luxury segment, also having best-in-class fuel economy.[35] The disadvantage of the aluminium frame is that it is very expensive to repair and requires a specialized aluminium bodyshop.[36] The Audi A2, Audi TT and also use Audi Space Frame designs.

[edit] Audi A2

The Audi A2 was a futuristic super born from the Al2 concept. It featured many features that gave Audi the cutting-edge technology that it had lacked for years, like the aluminium space frame, which was a first in production car design. In the A2 Audi further expanded their TDI technology through the use of frugal three-cylinder engines. The A2 was extremely aerodynamic and was designed around a wind tunnel. The Audi A2 was criticised for its high price and was never really a sales success but it planted Audi as a cutting-edge manufacturer. The model, a Mercedes-Benz A-Class competitor, sold relatively well in Europe. However, the A2 was discontinued in 2005 and Audi decided not to develop an immediate replacement.

[edit] Audi A4

The next major model change came in 1995 when the Audi A4 replaced the Audi 80. The new nomenclature scheme was applied to the Audi 100 to become the (with a minor facelift). This also meant the S4 became the S6 and a new S4 was introduced in the A4 body. The S2 was discontinued. The Audi Cabriolet continued on (based on the Audi 80 platform) until 1999, gaining the engine upgrades along the way. A new A3 model (sharing the Mk4's platform) was introduced to the range in 1996, and the radical Audi TT coupé and were debuted in 1998 based on the same underpinnings.

The engines available throughout the range were now a 1.4 L, 1.6 L and 1.8 L four-cylinder, 1.8 L four-cylinder turbo, 2.6 L and 2.8 L V6, 2.2 L turbo-charged five-cylinder and the 4.2 L V8 engine. The V6s were replaced by new 2.4 L and 2.8 L 30V V6s in 1998, with marked improvement in power, and smoothness. Further engines were added along the way, including a 3.7 L V8 and 6.0 L W12 engine for the A8.

[edit] Direct-Shift Gearbox

At the turn of the century, Volkswagen introduced the Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG), a type of dual clutch transmission. It is an automated semi-, drivable like a conventional automatic transmission. Based on the gearbox found in the S1, the system includes dual electrohydraulically controlled instead of a . This is implemented in some VW Golfs, and TT models where DSG is called S-tronic.

[edit] Fuel Stratified Injection

New models of the A3, A4, A6 and A8 have been introduced, with the ageing 1.8- engine now having been replaced by new Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) engines. Nearly every petroleum burning model in the range now incorporates this fuel-saving technology.

V8 FSI engine.

[edit] Electric technology

Audi is planning an alliance with the Japanese electronic giant Sanyo to develop a pilot hybrid electric project for the Volkswagen Group. The alliance could result in Sanyo batteries and other electronic components being used in future models of the Volkswagen Group.[37]

Hybrid electric vehicles includes:

Sportback Concept[38]  Audi A4 TDI Concept E[39]

This section requires expansion.

Fully electric vehicles:

 Audi e-tron Concept [40]

[edit] LED daytime running lights

The DRL in a Audi A4 B8

Beginning in 2006, Audi has implemented white LED technology as daytime running lights in their products. The distinctive shape of the DRLs has become a trademark of sorts. LEDs were first introduced on the , and have since spread throughout the entire model range. The LEDs are even present on some Audi billboards. [edit] Multi Media Interface

Audi has recently started offering a computerised control system for its cars, called Multi Media Interface (MMI). This came amid criticism of BMW's iDrive control. It is essentially a rotating control knob and 'segment' buttons – designed to control all in-car entertainment devices (radio, CD changer, iPod, TV tuner), satellite navigation, heating and ventilation, and other car controls with a screen. MMI was widely reported to be a considerable improvement on BMW's iDrive, although BMW has since made their iDrive more user-friendly.

MMI has been generally well-received, as it requires less menu- with its segment buttons around a central knob, along with 'main function' direct access buttons – with shortcuts to the radio or phone functions. The screen, either colour or monochrome, is mounted on the upright dashboard, and on the A4 (new), A5, A6, A8, and Q7, the controls are mounted horizontally.

An "MMI-like" system is also available on the A3, TT, A4 (B7), and R8 models – when equipped with the Audi Navigation System Plus (RNS-E) satellite navigation system. [edit] Engines

Volkswagen Group W12 engine from the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

In the , Audi, along with Volvo, was the of the inline-five cylinder, 2.1/2.2 L engine as a longer-lasting alternative to more traditional six-cylinder engines. This engine was used not only in production cars but also in their race cars. The 2.1 L inline five-cylinder engine was used as a base for the rally cars in the 1980s, providing well over 400 horsepower (298 kW) after modification. Before 1990, there were engines produced with a displacement between 2.0 L and 2.3 L. This range of engine capacity allowed for both fuel economy and power.

For the ultra-luxury version of its Audi A8 fullsize luxury flagship , the Audi A8L W12, Audi uses the Volkswagen Group W12 engine instead of the conventional favored by rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The W12 (also known as a "WR12") is created by forming two imaginary narrow-angle 15° VR6 engines at an angle of 72°, and the narrow angle of each set of cylinders allows just two overhead to drive each pair of banks, so just four are needed in total.[41] The advantage of the W12 engine is its compact packaging, allowing Audi to build a 12-cylinder sedan with all-wheel drive, whereas a conventional V12 engine could only have a rear-wheel drive configuration as it would have no space in the engine bay for a differential and other components required to power the front wheels. In fact, the 6.0 L W12 in the Audi A8L W12 is actually a bit smaller by overall dimensions than the 4.2 L V8 that powers the Audi A8 4.2 variants. [42] The 2011 Audi A8 debuted a revised 6.3-litre version of the W12 (WR12) engine with 500 PS (370 kW; 490 hp). [edit] Models

It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article titled List of Audi models.

(Discuss) Proposed since November 2011.

[edit] Current model range

 3-door Hatchback

A1 Supermini  Sportback (5-door Hatchback)

 3-door Hatchback  Sportback (5-door Hatchback)

A3 Small  Cabriolet ()

 Saloon (Sedan)  Avant (Estate/Wagon)

A4 Compact

 Allroad (Crossover Estate/Wagon)

 Coupé  Sportback (5-door Hatchback)

A5  Cabriolet (Convertible)

 Saloon (Sedan)  Avant (Estate/Wagon)

A6 Executive Car  Allroad (Crossover Estate/Wagon)

 Sportback (5-door Hatchback)

A7 Executive Car

 Saloon (Sedan)

A8 Full-size

 Coupé

TT Compact Sports Car  Roadster (Convertible)

 Coupé

R8 Sports Car  Spyder (Convertible)

 SUV

Q3 Compact Crossover SUV

 SUV

Q5 Compact Crossover SUV

 SUV

Q7 Full-size Crossover SUV

[edit] S (Sport) models

 3-door Hatchback

S3 Small Family Car  Sportback (5-door Hatchback)

 Saloon (Sedan)

S4 Compact Executive Car  Avant (Estate/Wagon)

 Coupé

S5 Compact Executive Car

 Saloon (Sedan) [43]

S6 Executive Car  Avant (Estate/Wagon)

 Sportback (5-door Hatchback) S7[44] Executive Car

[45]  Saloon (Sedan)

S8 Full-size Luxury Car

 Coupé

TTS Compact Sports Car  Roadster (Convertible)

[edit] RS (RennSport/Racing) models

 Sportback (5-door Hatchback)

RS3 Small Family Car

 Coupé

RS5 Compact Executive Car

TT RS Compact Sports Car  Coupé

 Roadster (Convertible)

[edit] Current model range engines

Petrol Engine Vehicle(s) Used in

1.2 TFSI 86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp) A1

1.2 TFSI 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) A3

1.4 TFSI 122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) A1

1.4 TFSI 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) A3

1.4 TFSI 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) A1

1.6 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp) A3

1.8 TFSI 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) A4 1.8 TFSI 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) A3, A4, A5

2.0 TFSI 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) Q3 2.0 TFSI 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) A5, Q5

2.0 TFSI 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) A3 2.0 TFSI 211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) A4, A5, TT, Q3, Q5

2.0 TFSI 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp) S3

2.0 TFSI 272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) TTS 2.5 TFSI 340 PS (250 kW; 335 hp) RS 3, TT RS

2.8 FSI 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) A7

3.0 TFSI 272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) Q7 3.0 TFSI 290 PS (213 kW; 286 hp) A6, A8 3.0 TFSI 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) A6, A7 3.0 TFSI 333 PS (245 kW; 328 hp) S4, S5, Q7 3.2 FSI 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp) A4, A5

3.2 FSI 270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp) Q5 4.0 TFSI 420 PS (309 kW; 414 hp) S6, S7

4.0 TFSI 520 PS (382 kW; 513 hp) S8

4.2 FSI 354 PS (260 kW; 349 hp) S5

4.2 FSI 372 PS (274 kW; 367 hp) A8

4.2 V8 FSI 430 PS (316 kW; 424 hp) R8 V8

4.2 FSI 450 PS (331 kW; 444 hp) RS 5

5.2 FSI 450 PS (331 kW; 444 hp) S6

5.2 V10 FSI 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp) R8 V10

5.2 V10 FSI 560 PS (412 kW; 552 hp) R8 GT

6.3 W12 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) A8L Vehicle(s) Used in 1.6 TDI 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) A1, A3

2.0 TDIe 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) A4 2.0 TDI 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) A3, Q3 2.0 TDI 143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) A4, Q5 2.0 TDI 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) A3, A4, A5, TT, Q5 2.0 TDI 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) A6, Q3 2.7 TDI 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) A4, A5, A6 3.0 TDI 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) A6, A7 3.0 TDI 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) A4, A5, A6, Q5, Q7 3.0 TDI 245 PS (180 kW; 242 hp) A6, A7

3.0 TDI 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) A8

4.2 TDI 340 PS (250 kW; 335 hp) Q7

4.2 TDI 350 PS (257 kW; 345 hp) A8

6.0 TDI V12 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) Q7 V12

[edit] Discontinued models

100 1968–1994

200 1979-1991

50 1974–1978

80 1966–1996

90 1966–1996

A2 1999–2005

Cabriolet 1991–2000

Coupé 1980–1988

F103 1965–1972

Quattro 1980–1991

RS2 Avant 1994–1995

RS4 2000–2008

RS6 2002–2010

S2 1990–1995

Sport Quattro 1984–1985

V8 1988–1993

[edit] Historical models

920 1938–1940

Front UW 220 1935–1938

Front UW 225 1935–1938

Type A 1910–1912

Type B 1910–1914

Type C 1912–1921

Type D 1912–1920

Type E 1911–1924

Type G 1914–1923

Type K 1922–1925

Type M 1925–1928

Type P 1931–1932

Type R 1928–1932

Type SS 1929–1932

Type T 1931–1932

[edit] Concept models

A1 clubsport quattro 2011

A1 e-tron 2010

Avantissimo 2001

Avus Quattro 1991

Cross Cabriolet Quattro 2007

e-tron Spyder 2011

Le Mans Quattro 2003

Metroproject Quattro/ 2007/ A1 Project Quattro Concept 2008

Nuvolari Quattro 2003

Pikes Peak Quattro 2003

Quattro Concept 2010

R8 TDI Le Mans Concept 2008

Roadjet 2006

Rosemeyer 2000

RSQ 2004

Shooting Brake 2005

Sportback Concept 2009

Steppenwolf 2001

TT Clubsport quattro concept 2008

[edit] models

R8C 1999

R8R 1999

R8 2000

R10 TDI 2006

R15 TDI 2009

R18 TDI 2011

[edit] Production figures (1998–2010)

Audi Audi Audi Audi Audi Audi Aud Audi Aud Audi Audi Audi Aud

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 i A7 A8 i Q3 Q5 Q7 TT i R8 [46] 143,97 271,15 174,86 15,35 13,68 199 — — — — — — — — 4 2 7 5 2 8 [46] 143,50 252,51 162,57 14,63 52,57 199 — — — — — — — — 5 4 3 6 9 9 [47] 32,16 136,14 231,86 180,71 12,89 56,77 200 — — — — — — — 4 1 9 5 4 6 0 [48] 49,36 131,08 308,77 186,46 11,70 39,34 200 — — — — — — — 9 2 8 7 8 9 1 [49] 37,57 125,53 360,26 178,77 10,94 34,71 200 — — — — — — — 8 8 7 3 2 1 2 [50] 27,32 159,41 353,83 168,61 21,74 32,33 200 — — — — — — — 3 7 6 2 8 7 3 [51] 19,74 181,27 345,23 195,52 22,42 23,60 200 — — — — — — — 5 4 1 9 9 5 4 [52] 10,02 224,96 337,70 215,43 21,51 12,30 200 — — — — — 1,185 — 6 1 5 7 5 7 5 [53] 231,75 341,11 229,02 22,46 72,16 23,67 200 — — 487 — — — 164 2 0 1 8 9 5 6 [54] 231,11 289,80 243,84 22,18 77,39 56,76 4,12 200 — — 25,549 — — 162 7 6 2 2 5 6 5 7 [55] 222,16 378,88 214,07 20,14 59,00 41,78 5,65 200 — — 57,650 — — 20,324 4 5 4 0 8 9 6 8 [56] 206,74 282,03 182,09 105,07 27,92 22,82 2,10 — — 84,883 — 8,599 — 200 7 3 0 4 9 1 1 9 [57] 51,93 198,97 306,29 111,27 211,25 8,49 22,43 154,60 48,93 26,21 3,48 201 — — 7 4 1 0 6 6 5 4 7 7 5 0

 Figures for different body types/versions of models have been merged to create overall figures for each model. [edit] Motorsports

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and

removed. (June 2008)

Audi has competed in numerous forms of motorsports. Audi's rich tradition in motorsport began with their former company Auto Union in the 1930s. In the 1990s, Audi dominated the Touring and categories of motor racing after success in circuit racing in .

[edit] Rallying

Walter Röhrl with his Quattro A2 during the 1984 Rally Portugal.

In 1980, Audi released the Quattro, a four-wheel drive (4WD) turbocharged car that went on to win rallies and races worldwide. It is considered one of the most significant rally cars of all time, because it was one of the first to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of four-wheel drive in competition racing. Many critics doubted the viability of four-wheel drive racers, thinking them to be too heavy and complex, yet the Quattro was to become a successful car. Leading its first rally it went off the road, however the rally world had been served notice 4WD was the future. The Quattro went on to achieve much success in the . It won the 1983 (Hannu Mikkola) and the 1984 () drivers' titles,[58] and brought Audi the manufacturers' title in 1982 and 1984.[59]

Audi Quattro S1 driven at the 2007

In 1984, Audi launched the short- Sport Quattro which dominated rally races in Monte Carlo and Sweden, with Audi taking all podium places, but succumbed to problems further into WRC contention. In 1985, after another season mired in mediocre finishes, Walter Röhrl finished the season in his Sport Quattro S1, and helped place Audi second in the manufacturers' points. Audi also received rally honours in the Hong Kong to Beijing rally in that same year. Michèle Mouton, the only female driver to win a round of the World Rally Championship and a driver for Audi, took the Sport Quattro S1, now simply called the "S1", and raced in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The 1,439-metre (4,721 ft) climb race pits a driver and car to drive to the summit of the 4,302-metre (14,114 ft) Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado, and in 1985, Michèle Mouton set a new record of 11:25.39, and being the first woman to set a Pikes Peak record. In 1986, Audi formally left international rally racing following an accident in Portugal involving driver Joaquim Santos in his Ford RS200. Santos swerved to avoid hitting spectators in the road, and left the track into the crowd of spectators on the side, killing three and injuring 30. Bobby Unser used an Audi in that same year to claim a new record for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb at 11:09.22.

In 1987, Walter Röhrl claimed the title for Audi setting a new Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record of 10:47.85 in his , which he had retired from the WRC two years earlier. The Audi S1 employed Audi's time-tested inline-five-cylinder turbocharged engine, with the final version generating 441 kW (600 PS; 591 bhp).[60] The engine was mated to a six-speed gearbox and ran on Audi's famous four-wheel drive system. All of Audi's top drivers drove this car; Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist, Walter Röhrl and Michèle Mouton. This Audi S1 started the range of Audi 'S' cars, which now represents an increased level of sports-performance equipment within the mainstream Audi model range.

[edit] In the USA

As Audi moved away from rallying and into circuit racing, they chose to move first into America with the Trans-Am in 1988.

In 1989, Audi moved to International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) GTO with the Audi 90, however as they avoided the two major endurance events (Daytona and Sebring) despite winning on a regular basis, they would lose out on the title. [edit] Touring cars

In 1990, having completed their objective to market cars in North America, Audi returned to Europe, turning first to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) series with the Audi V8, and then in 1993, being unwilling to build cars for the new formula, they turned their attention to the fast growing Super Touring series, which are a series of national championships. Audi first entered in the French Supertourisme and Italian Superturismo. In the following year, Audi would switch to the German Super Tourenwagen Cup (known as STW), and then to British Championship (BTCC) the year after that.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), having difficulty regulating the quattro four-wheel drive system, and the impact it had on the competitors, would eventually ban all four- wheel drive cars from competing in 1998[citation needed], but by then, Audi switched all their works efforts to .

By 2000, Audi would still compete in the US with their RS4 for the SCCA Speed World GT Challenge, through dealer/team competing against Corvettes, Vipers, and smaller (where it is one of the few series to permit 4WD cars). In 2003, Champion Racing entered an RS6. Once again, the quattro four-wheel drive was superior, and Champion Audi won the championship. They returned in 2004 to defend their title, but a newcomer, with the new Omega Chassis CTS-V, gave them a run for their money. After four victories in a row, the Audis were sanctioned with several negative changes that deeply affected the car's performance. Namely, added ballast weights, and Champion Audi deciding to go with different tyres, and reducing the boost pressure of the .

In 2004, after years of competing with the TT-R in the revitalised DTM series, with privateer team Abt Racing/ taking the 2002 title with Laurent Aïello, Audi returned as a full factory effort to by entering two factory supported A4 DTM cars.

[edit] Sports car racing

Audi R10 TDI

Starting in 1999, Audi built the (open-cockpit 'roadster' prototype) and the (closed-cockpit 'coupé' GT-prototype) to compete in sports car racing, including the Le Mans Prototype LMP900 class at the . For the 2000 season, Audi focussed mainly on the new Audi R8, due to favourable rules for open-cockpit prototypes. However, most of the competitors (such as BMW, Toyota, Mercedes and ) retired at the end of 1999. The factory-supported Joest Racing team won at Le Mans three times in a row with the Audi R8 (2000–2002), as well as winning every race in the in its first year. Audi also sold the car to customer teams such as Champion Racing.

In 2003, two Bentley Speed 8s, with engines designed by Audi, and driven by Joest drivers loaned to the fellow Volkswagen Group company, competed in the GTP class, and finished the race in the top two positions, while the Champion Racing R8 finished third overall, and first in the LMP900 class. Audi returned to the winner's podium at the 2004 race, with the top three finishers all driving R8s: Audi Sport Team Goh finished first, Audi Sport UK Veloqx second, and Champion Racing third.

At the 2005 24 Hours of Le Mans, Champion Racing entered two R8s, along with an R8 from the Audi PlayStation Team . The R8s (which were built to old LMP900 regulations) received a narrower air inlet restrictor, reducing power, and an additional 50 kg (110 lb) of weight compared to the newer LMP1 chassis. On average, the R8s were about 2–3 seconds off pace compared to the Pescarolo–. But with a team of excellent drivers and experience, both Champion R8s were able to take first and third, while the ORECA team took fourth. The Champion team was also the first American team to win Le Mans since the Gulf Ford GT's in 1967. This also ends the long era of the R8; however, its replacement for 2006, called the Audi R10 TDI, was unveiled on 13 December 2005.

The R10 TDI employed many new and innovative features, the most notable being the twin- turbocharged direct injection diesel engine. It was first raced in the 2006 as a race-test in preparation for the 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans, which it later went on to win. Audi has been on the forefront of sports car racing, claiming a historic win in the first ever diesel sports car at 12 Hours of Sebring (the car was developed with a Diesel engine due to ACO regolamentation that favor diesel engine). As well as winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2006 making history, the R10 TDI has also shown its capabilities by beating the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in 2007, and beating Peugeot again in 2008, (however Peugeot won the 24h in 2009) and, in a podium clean-sweep by proving its reliability throughout the race (compared to all four 908 entries retired before the end of the race) while breaking a new distance record (set way back by the Porsche 917K of Martini Racing in 1971), in 2010 with the R15 TDI Plus.[61]

On Sunday 12th June of 2011 Audi R8 TDI team (formed from Fassler / Lotterer / Treluyer) has won the 10th 24 hours of Le Mans trophy. [edit] Marketing

The old logo used by Audi until 2009

[edit] Logos

The Audi emblem is four overlapping rings that represent the four marques of Auto Union. The Audi emblem symbolises the amalgamation of Audi with DKW, Horch and Wanderer: the first ring from the left represents Audi, the second represents DKW, third is Horch, and the fourth and last ring Wanderer.[62][63] Its similarity to the Olympic rings caused the International Olympic Committee to sue Audi in International Trademark Court in 1995.[64]

As part of Audi's centennial celebration in 2009, the company updated the logo, changing the font to left-aligned Audi Type, and altering the shading for the overlapping rings.[65]

The logo was designed by Rayan Abdullah.[66]

[edit] Slogans

Audi's corporate tagline is Vorsprung durch Technik, meaning "Progress through Technology".[67] The German-language tagline is used in many European countries, including the , and in other markets, such as Latin America, Oceania and parts of Asia including Japan. A few years ago, the North American tagline was "Innovation through technology", but in the German tagline Vorsprung durch Technik was used in advertising. More recently, however, Audi has updated the tagline to "Truth in Engineering" in the U.S.[68]

[edit] Sponsorships

Audi Centre Sydney, Zetland, New South Wales, .

Audi is a strong partner of different kinds of sports. In , long partnerships exist between Audi and various clubs like Manchester United, FC Bayern , Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax Amsterdam. Audi also sponsors : The Audi FIS Alpine is named after the company. Additionally, Audi supports the German Ski Association (DSV) as well as the alpine national teams of Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, , Liechtenstein, Italy, Austria and the US. For almost two decades Audi fosters golf sport: for example with the Audi quattro Cup and the HypoVereinsbank Ladies German Open presented by Audi. In sailing, Audi is engaged in the Medcup regatta and supports the team Luna Rossa during the Pacific Series and also is the primary sponsor of the Melges 20 sailboat. Further, Audi sponsors the regional teams ERC Ingolstadt (hockey) and FC Ingolstadt 04 (soccer).[69] In 2009, the year of Audis 100th anniversary, the company organises the Audi Cup for the first time. In a two-day-tournament, the teams of FC Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Manchester United F.C. and CA Boca Juniors will compete against each other.[70] Audi also sponsor the New York Yankees as well. In October 2010 they agreed to a three sponsorship year-deal with Everton.[71]

[edit] Multitronic campaign

In 2001, Audi promoted the new multitronic continuously variable transmission with television commercials throughout Europe, featuring an impersonator of musician and actor Elvis Presley.[72][73] A prototypical dashboard figure – later named "Wackel-Elvis" ("Wobble Elvis" or "Wobbly Elvis") – appeared in the commercials to demonstrate the smooth ride in an Audi equipped with the multitronic transmission. The dashboard figure was originally intended for use in the commercials only, but after they aired the demand for Wackel-Elvis fans grew among fans and the figure was mass-produced in China and marketed by Audi in their factory outlet store.[74]

[edit] Typography

Audi Sans (based on Univers Extended) was originally created in 1997 by Ole Schäfer for MetaDesign.

MetaDesign was later commissioned for a new corporate typeface called Audi Type, designed by Paul van der Laan and Pieter van Rosmalen of Bold Monday. The font began to appear in Audi's 2009 products and marketing materials.[75]

[edit] In video games

In PlayStation Home, the PlayStation 3's online community-based service, Audi has supported Home by releasing a dedicated Home space in the European version of Home. Audi is the first carmaker to develop a space for Home. On 17 December 2009, Audi released the Audi Space as two spaces; the Audi Home Terminal and the Audi Vertical Run.[76] The Audi Home Terminal features an Audi TV channel delivering video content, an Internet Browser feature, and a view of a city. The Audi Vertical Run is where users can access the mini-game Vertical Run, a futuristic mini-game featuring Audi's e-tron concept. Players collect energy and race for the highest possible speeds and the fastest players earn a place in the Audi apartments located in a large tower in the centre of the Audi Space. In both the Home Terminal and Vertical Run spaces, there are teleports where users can teleport back and forth between the two spaces. Audi has stated that additional content will be added in 2010.[77]

"Most young people gain their first driving experience from video games", explains Kai Mensing, who is responsible for video games and virtual worlds in Online Marketing at Audi. "With the Audi Space, we can bring this target group into contact with our brand in a highly emotion-packed and interactive environment, and demonstrate our 'Vorsprung durch Technik' with the virtual e-tron race." Kai Mensing's most recent statement on the Audi Space was that "As a brand, Audi sees great value and potential in the experiences and level of interaction the world of gaming affords. PlayStation Home gives Audi the perfect environment to connect with gamers in an unexpected way and we made sure to push the platform to its limits with the new Audi Space."

[edit] Audi TDI

As part of Audi's attempt to promote its Diesel technology in 2009, the company began Audi Mileage Marathon. The driving tour featured a fleet of 23 Audi TDI vehicles from 4 models ( 3.0 TDI, 3.0 TDI, Audi A4 3.0 TDI, Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI with S tronic transmission) travelling across the American continent from New York to Los Angeles, passing major cities like Chicago, Dallas and Las Vegas during the 13 daily stages, as well as natural wonders including the Rocky Mountains, Death Valley and the Grand Canyon.[78]

[edit] Audi e-tron

The next phase of technology Audi is developing is the e-tron electric drive powertrain system. They have shown several concept cars as of March 2010, each with different levels of size and performance. The original e-tron concept shown at the 2009 motor show is based on the platform of the R8 and has been scheduled for limited production. Power is provided by electric motors at all four wheels. The second concept was shown at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show. Power is provided by two electric motors at the rear axle. This concept is also considered to be the direction for a future mid-engined gas-powered 2- performance coupe. The Audi A1 e-tron concept, based on the Audi A1 production model, is a with a range extending Wankel to provide power after the initial charge of the battery is depleted. It is the only concept of the three to have range extending capability. The car is powered through the front wheels, always using electric power. It is all set to be displayed at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi, India, from the 5th of January. Powered by a 1.4 litre engine, and can cover a distance upto 54 km s on a single charge. [edit] References

This article uses bare URLs for citations. Please consider adding full citations so that the article remains verifiable. Several templates and the Reflinks tool are available to assist in

formatting. (Reflinks documentation) (October 2011)

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RallyBase.nl. Retrieved 30 August 2008. 59. ^ "World Rally Championship for Manufacturers – Champions". RallyBase.nl. Retrieved 30 August 2008. 60. ^ "25 Years of Audi Quattro". Audi AG. Audi Of America. 22 February 2005. Retrieved 31 March 2009. 61. ^ "Audi achieves record victory at Le Mans with new technology". joest-racing.de; Audi Sport. Joest Racing. 13 June 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010. 62. ^ Car Logo. "Audi Logo". Retrieved 10 September 2007. 63. ^ "History of the Four Rings-Part 1-Audi Auto Union". Seriouswheels.com. Retrieved 27 April 2009. 64. ^ Alina Dumitrache. "Audi Reveals Updated Logo". autoevolution.com. Retrieved 27 August 2009. 65. ^ "Audi Unveils Updated Logo Following Centennial Celebration". Wot.motortrend.com. Retrieved 2 August 2010. 66. ^ "mosul-network.org". mosul-network.org. 2011-01-20. Retrieved 2011-11-18. 67. ^ "Eco-Culture". Audi magazine (3/08): 19. 68. ^ Lavrinc, Damon. Audi planning TT and R8 lightweight "Sport" models. Autoblog. Retrieved 24 April 2010. 69. ^ "Audi Worldwide > Experience > Sponsoring > Sport". Audi.com. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009. 70. ^ "FC Bayern". Fcbayern.t-home.de. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009. 71. ^ "Blues agree deal with Audi". evertonfc.com. 14 October 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2011. 72. ^ ―‖. "Audi Wackel-Elvis commercial (2001, British version)". Youtube. Retrieved 2 August 2010. 73. ^ ―‖. "Audi Wackel-Elvis commercial (2001, German version)". Youtube. Retrieved 2 August 2010. 74. ^ "Fans Waiting in Line for Release of Wackel-Elvis" (in (German)). Die Welt. 11 June 2001. Retrieved 2 August 2010. 75. ^ "Bold Monday: Audi Type". boldmonday.com. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 76. ^ Fernandez, Joe (10 December 2009). "Audi to launch PlayStation download game". Marketing Week. Retrieved 10 December 2009. 77. ^ "Audi creates virtual Audi Space within PlayStation Home". CNET Reviews. 78. ^ Abuelsamid, Sam (8 September 2008). "Audi to kick off diesel push with cross country Mileage Marathon". Green.autoblog.com. Retrieved 2 August 2010.

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BMW

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer. For other uses, see BMW (disambiguation). Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

Type Aktiengesellschaft

Traded as FWB: BMW

Industry Automotive industry Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG Predecessor (BFW)[1] Founded 1917

Founder(s) Headquarters Munich, Germany Area served Worldwide Key people (CEO), (Chairman of the supervisory board) Automobiles, motorcycles, Products Revenue €60.48 billion (2010)[2] Operating €5.094 billion (2010)[2] income [2]

Profit €3.218 billion (2010) [2]

Total assets €108.87 billion (end 2010) [2]

Total equity €23.10 billion (end 2010) Employees 95,450 (end 2010)[2] Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Subsidiaries Husqvarna

Website .com

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG pronunciation (help·info) (BMW) (English: Bavarian Motor Works) is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1917. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands. In 2010, the BMW group produced 1,481,253 automobiles and 112,271 motorcycles across all its brands.

Contents

[hide]

 1 Company history  2 Shareholders structure  3 Production o 3.1 Worldwide sales  4 Motorcycles  5 Automobiles o 5.1 New Class o 5.2 Current models o 5.3 M models  6 Motorsport o 6.1 Motorsport sponsoring o 6.2 Motorcycle o 6.3 o 6.4 Sports car o 6.5 Touring car o 6.6 Rally o 6.7 Sport sponsorship beyond motor sport  7 Environmental record  8 Bicycles  9 BMW nomenclature o 9.1 Exceptions  10 Community o 10.1 BMW slang o 10.2 The arts o 10.3 April Fools  11 Overseas subsidiaries o 11.1 o 11.2 United States o 11.3 India o 11.4 China o 11.5 Canada o 11.6 Egypt  12 See also  13 References  14 External links

[edit] Company history

BMW Headquarters in Munich, Germany Main article: History of BMW

BMW entered existence as a business entity following a restructuring of the aircraft engine manufacturing firm in 1917. After the end of World War I in 1918, BMW was forced to cease aircraft engine production by the terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty.[3] The company consequently shifted to motorcycle production in 1923, once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted,[4] followed by automobiles in 1928–29.[5][6][7]

The first car which BMW successfully produced and the car which launched BMW on the road to automobile production was the Dixi, it was based on the Austin 7 and licensed from the Austin Motor Company in Birmingham, .

The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company logo, from which the BMW company grew, combined with the blue and white colors of the flag of Bavaria.[8] The logo has been portrayed as the movement of an aircraft with the white blades cutting through a blue sky — first used in a BMW advertisement in 1929, twelve years after the roundel was created — but this is not the origin of the logo itself.[9]

BMW's first significant aircraft engine was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred for its high-altitude performance.[10] With German rearmament in the 1930s, the company again began producing aircraft engines for the . Among its successful World War II engine designs were the BMW 132 and BMW 801 air-cooled radial engines, and the pioneering BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet, which powered the tiny, 1944-1945- era jet-powered "emergency fighter", the Heinkel He 162 Spatz. The BMW 003 jet engine was tested in the A-1b version of the world's first jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262, but BMW engines failed on takeoff, a major setback for the jet fighter program until successful testing with Junkers engines.[11][12]

By the year 1959, the automotive division of BMW was in financial difficulties and a shareholders meeting was held to decide whether to go into liquidation or find a way of carrying on. It was decided to carry on and to try to cash in on the current boom enjoyed so successfully by some of Germany's ex-aircraft manufacturers such as Messerschmitt and Heinkel. The rights to manufacture the Italian Iso were bought; the tiny cars themselves were to be powered by a modified form of BMW's own . This was moderately successful and helped the company get back on its feet. The controlling majority shareholder of the BMW Aktiengesellschaft since 1959 is the Quandt family, which owns about 46% of the stock. The rest is in public float.

BMW acquired the Hans company based in , Germany, in 1966. It was reputed that the acquisition was mainly to gain access to Glas' development of the timing with an overhead in automotive applications.[13] Glas vehicles were briefly badged as BMW until the company was fully absorbed.

In 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in California based industrial design studio DesignworksUSA, which they fully acquired in 1995. In 1994, BMW bought the British [14] (which at the time consisted of the Rover, and MG brands as well as the rights to defunct brands including Austin and Morris), and owned it for six years. By 2000, Rover was incurring huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine. The MG and Rover brands were sold to the Phoenix Consortium to form MG Rover, while Land Rover was taken over by Ford. BMW, meanwhile, retained the rights to build the new Mini, which was launched in 2001.

Chief designer announced his departure from BMW in February 2009, after serving on the design team for nearly seventeen years. He was replaced by , Bangle's former right hand man. Bangle was known for his radical designs such as the 2002 7- Series and the 2002 Z4. In July 2007, the production rights for Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported 93 million euros. BMW Motorrad plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and production activities, as well as the current workforce, have remained in place at its present location at Varese. [edit] Shareholders structure by ownership[15]

 Stefan Quandt: 17.4%  Johanna Quandt: 16.7%  : 12.6%  Free Float: 53.3% by types

 Strategic investors: 46.7%  Institutional investors: o North America: 15.8% o United Kingdom and Ireland: 11.8% o Other Europe: 5.7% o Germany: 4.8% o Rest of the world: 2.5%  Other investors: 12.7% [edit] Production

In 2006, the BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 four-wheeled vehicles, which were manufactured in five countries.[16] In 2010, it manufactured 1,481,253 four- wheeled vehicles and 112,271 motorcycles (under both the BMW and Husqvarna brands).[2]

The BMW X3 (E83) was made by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Magna of Canada, in Graz, Austria under license from BMW until 2010. More than 45,973 were produced in 2009. Starting October 2010, the new BMW X3 (F25) is produced in BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.A. From September 2010, the plant is producing . It is reported that about 56% of BMW-brand vehicles produced are powered by petrol engines and the remaining 44% are powered by diesel engines. Of those petrol vehicles, about 27% are four-cylinder models and about nine percent are eight-cylinder models.[17]

Annual Production

Year BMW MINI Rolls-Royce Motorcycle 2005 1,122,308 200,119 692 92,012 2006 1,179,317 186,674 847 103,759 2007 1,302,774 237,700 1,029 104,396 2008 1,203,482 235,019 1,417 118,452 2009 1,043,829 213,670 918 93,243 2010[2] 1,236,989 241,043 3,221 112,271

Production by country

Country Make 2006 2008 Models Germany BMW 905,057 901,898 BMW 1, 3, 5, 6, Z, X1, BMW 1,500 100,000[18] BMW X3, X5, 3, 5, 7, and Motorcycles China BMW N/A 67,00 BMW 3, 5 series BMW 1,500 2,000 BMW X5, X6, 5-series

United Kingdom Mini 187,454 235,019 All

Rolls-Royce 67 1,417 All Rolls-Royce

Austria BMW 114,306 82,863 BMW X3 USA BMW 105,172 170,741 BMW X3, X5, X6 South Africa BMW 54,782 47,980 BMW 3-Series Total 1,366,838 1,439,918

BMW also has local assembly operation using complete knock down components in , Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, for 3, 5, 7 series and X3.[15]

[edit] Worldwide sales

Vehicles sold in all markets according to BMW's annual reports.

Year BMW MINI Rolls-Royce Motorcycle 2000 822,181

2001 880,677

2002 913,225

2003 928,151

2004 1,023,583

2005 1,126,768 200,428 796 97,474 2006 1,185,088 188,077 805 100,064 2007 1,276,793 222,875 1,010 102,467 2008 1,202,239 232,425 1,212 115,196 2009 1,068,770 216,538 1,002 100,358 2010 1,224,280 234,175 2,711 110,113

Since 2008, motorcycle sales figures include Husqvarna models. [edit] Motorcycles

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and

removed. (June 2008) See also: BMW Motorrad and History of BMW motorcycles

The R32 motorcycle, the first BMW motor vehicle.

BMW began building motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I. Its motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle, after the failed Helios and Flink, was the "R32" in 1923. This had a "boxer" twin engine, in which a cylinder projects into the air-flow from each side of the . Apart from their single- cylinder models (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles used this distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMWs are still produced in this layout, which is designated the R Series.

BMW K1200GT

BMW 1955 R67/3 was the last of the "plunger" models

During the Second World War, BMW produced the BMW R75 motorcycle with a attached. Featuring a unique design copied from the Zündapp KS750, its sidecar wheel was also motor-driven. Combined with a lockable differential, this made the vehicle very capable off- road, an equivalent in many ways to the .

In 1982, came the K Series, shaft drive but water-cooled and with either three or four cylinders mounted in a straight line from front to back. Shortly after, BMW also started making the chain- driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines.

In the early 1990s, BMW updated the airhead Boxer engine which became known as the oilhead. In 2002, the oilhead engine had two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in balance shaft, an increased capacity to 1,170 cc and enhanced performance to 100 hp (75 kW) for the R1200GS, compared to 85 hp (63 kW) of the previous R1150GS. More powerful variants of the oilhead engines are available in the R1100S and R1200S, producing 98 hp (73 kW) and 122 hp (91 kW), respectively.

In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a departure for BMW. It features an engine producing 167 hp (125 kW), derived from the company's with the Williams F1 team, and is lighter than previous K models. Innovations include electronically adjustable front and rear suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork that BMW calls Duolever.

BMW introduced anti-lock on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. The generation of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles pave the way for the introduction of electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology later in the 2007 model year.

BMW has been an innovator in design, taking up telescopic front suspension long before most other manufacturers. Then they switched to an Earles fork, front suspension by swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMWs are truly rear swingarm, single sided at the back (compare with the regular swinging fork usually, and wrongly, called swinging arm). Some BMWs started using yet another trademark front suspension design, the Telelever, in the early 1990s. Like the Earles fork, the Telelever significantly reduces dive under braking. In July 2007, the Italian-made Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported €93 million. BMW Motorrad plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and production activities, as well as the current workforce, have remained in place at its present location at Varese.[19] Husqvarna manufactures motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. [edit] Automobiles

Main article: List of BMW vehicles

[edit] New Class

Main article: BMW New Class

The New Class (German: Neue Klasse) was a line of compact sedans and starting with the 1962 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977. Powered by BMW's celebrated four-cylinder M10 engine, the New Class models featured a fully independent suspension, MacPherson struts in front, and front disc brakes. Initially a family of four-door sedans and two- door coupes, the New Class line was broadened to two-door sports sedans with the addition of the 02 Series 1600 and 2002 in 1966.

Sharing little in common with the rest of the line beyond power train, the sporty siblings caught auto enthusiasts' attention and established BMW as an international brand. Precursors to the famed BMW 3 Series, the two-doors' success cemented the firm's future as an upper tier performance car maker. New Class four-doors with numbers ending in "0" were replaced by the larger BMW 5 Series in 1972. The upscale 2000C and 2000CS coupes were replaced by the six- cylinder BMW E9, introduced in 1969 with the 2800CS. The 1600 two-door was discontinued in 1975, the 2002 replaced by the 320i in 1975.

[edit] Current models

BMW 3-Series (E90)

The 1 Series, launched in 2004, is BMW's smallest car, and is available in coupe/convertible (E82/E88) and hatchback (E81/E87) forms. The 3 Series, a compact executive car manufactured since model year 1975, is currently in its fifth generation (E90); models include the sport sedan (E90), (E91), coupe (E92), and convertible (E93). The 5 Series is a mid-size executive car, available in sedan (F10) and station wagon (F11) forms. The 5 Series Gran Turismo (F07), beginning in 2010, will create a segment between station wagons and crossover SUV.[20]

BMW 7-Series (F01)

BMW's full-size flagship executive sedan is the 7 Series. Typically, BMW introduces many of their innovations first in the 7 Series, such as the somewhat controversial iDrive system. The 7 Series Hydrogen, featuring one of the world's first hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines, is fueled by liquid hydrogen and emits only clean water vapor. The latest generation (F01) debuted in 2009. Based on the 5 Series' platform, the 6 Series is BMW's grand touring luxury sport coupe/convertible (E63/E64). A 2-seater roadster and coupe which succeeded the Z3, the Z4 () has been sold since 2002.

BMW X3 SUV (F25)

The X3 (E83), BMW's second crossover SUV (called SAV or "Sports Activity Vehicle" by BMW) debuted in 2003 and is based on the E46/16 3 Series platform. Marketed in Europe as an off-roader, it benefits from BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. The all-wheel drive X5 (E70) was BMW's first crossover SUV (SAV), based on the 5 series, and is a mid-size luxury SUV (SAV) sold by BMW since 2000. A 4-seat crossover SUV released by BMW in December 2007, the X6 is marketed as a "Sports Activity Coupe" (SAC) by BMW. The upcoming X1 extends the BMW Sports Activity Series model lineup.

 1 Series (E81) (2004–present) Hatchback, coupe and convertible  3 Series (E90) (2005–present) Sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon  5 Series (F10) (2010–present) Sedan and Wagon  5 Series Gran Turismo (2009–present) Progressive Activity Sedan  6 Series (F12) (2010–present) Coupe and convertible  7 Series (F01) (2008–present) Sedan  X1 (2009–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)  X3 (F25) (2010–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)  X5 (E70) (2006–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)  X6 (2008–present) Sports Activity Coupe  Z4 (E89) (2009–present) Sports Roadster

[edit] M models

Main article: BMW M

BMW produce a number of high-performance derivatives of their cars developed by their BMW M GmbH (previously BMW Motorsport GmbH) subsidiary.

The current M models are:

 1 Series M Coupe - E82 Coupe (2011 to present)  M3 - E90 Sedan, E92 Coupe, E93 Cabriolet (2007 to present)  M5 - F10 Saloon (2011 to present)  X5 M - E70 SAV (2010 to present)  X6 M - E71 SAV (2010 to present) [edit] Motorsport

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged

and removed. (June 2008) Main article: BMW in motorsport

BMW has been engaged in motorsport activities since the dawn of the first BMW motorcycle.

[edit] Motorsport sponsoring

 Formula BMW – A Junior racing Formula category.  Kumho BMW Championship – A BMW-exclusive championship run in the United Kingdom.

[edit] Motorcycle

BMW S1000RR

 Isle of Man TT – in 1939 BMW became the first foreign manufacturer to win the Isle of Man TT race with Georg Meier  – BMW motorcycles have won the Dakar rally six times. In 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1999, and 2000.[21]  Superbike World Championship – BMW returned to premier in 2009 with their all new superbike, the BMW S1000RR.

[edit] Formula One

Main article: BMW in Formula One

BMW Sauber F1 Team Logo.

BMW first entered Formula One as a full-fledged team in 2006.

BMW has a history of success in Formula One. BMW powered cars have won 20 races. In 2006 BMW took over the Sauber team and became Formula One constructors. In 2007 and 2008 the team enjoyed some success. The most recent win is a lone constructor team's victory by BMW Sauber F1 Team, on 8 June 2008, at the Canadian Grand Prix with driving. Achievements include:

 Driver championship: 1 (1983)  Constructor championship: 0 (Runner-up 2002, 2003, 2007)  Grand Prix wins: 20  Podium finishes: 76  Pole positions: 33  Fastest laps: 33

BMW was an engine supplier to Williams, Benetton, Brabham, and Arrows. Notable drivers who have started their Formula One careers with BMW include , , Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel.

In July 2009, BMW announced that it would withdraw from Formula One at the end of the 2009 season.[22] The team was sold back to the previous owner, Peter Sauber, who kept the BMW part of the name for the 2010 season due to issues with the Concorde Agreement. The team has since dropped BMW from their name starting in 2011.

[edit] Sports car

 Le Mans 24 Hours – BMW won Le Mans in 1999 with the BMW V12 LMR designed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering. Also the Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team won the 1995 edition with a BMW-engined McLaren F1 GTR race car.  Nürburgring – BMW won the 24 Hours Nürburgring 18 times and the 1000km Nürburgring twice (1976 and 1981).  24 Hours of Daytona – BMW won 2 times (1976, 2011)  – BMW won 21 times  McLaren F1 GTR – Successful mid-1990s GT racing car with a BMW designed engine. It won the BPR Global GT Series in 1995 and 1996 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995.  American Le Mans Series - BMW has won three (2001, 2010, 2011) GT Team Championships and GT Automobile Manufacturer titles. Twice (2010, 2011) with Team RLL in the Crowne Plaza V8 powered M3 coupe and once (2001) with the BMW Motorsport team in the V8 powered M3 GTR.

[edit] Touring car

BMW has a long and successful history in touring car racing.

 European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) – Since 1968, BMW won 24 drivers' championships[citation needed] along with several manufacturers' and teams' titles.  World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) – BMW won four drivers' championship (1987, 2005, 2006 and 2007) and three manufacturers' titles (2005–2007).  DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) – the following won the DTM drivers' championship driving BMWs: o 1989: Roberto Ravaglia, BMW M3 o 1987: Eric van der Poele, BMW M3  The DRM (Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft) was won by Harald Ertl in a BMW 320i Turbo in 1978  British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) – BMW won the drivers' championship in 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1993 and manufacturers' championship in 1991 and 1993.  SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge Touring Car Series(WC) – BMW won the manufacturer's championship in 2001 and , driving a Turner Motorsport BMW 325i, won the 2003 and 2004 Driver's Championships.  Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC) – BMW (Schnitzer) flew from Europe to Japan to compete in the JTCC and won the championship in 1995.  Mille Miglia – BMW won Mille Miglia in 1940 in with a 328 Touring Coupé. Previously in 1938 the 328 sport car also obtained a class victory.

BMW announced on 15 October 2010 that it will return to touring car racing during the 2012 season. Dr. Klaus Draeger, who is in charge of the return to DTM racing (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), commented that ―The return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring of our motorsport activities. With its increased commitment to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our core competitors in a high- powered environment. The DTM is the ideal stage on which to do this.‖[citation needed]

[edit] Rally

 RAC Rally – The 328 sport car won this event in 1939.  Paris Dakar Rally – BMW motorcycles have won this event 6 times.  – The BMW M3 – E30 won this event in 1987

[edit] Sport sponsorship beyond motor sport

BMW sponsors many other sports beyond motorsport. It is an official sponsor of the 2012 olympics providing 4000 BMWs and Minis in a deal made in November 2009.[23] The company also made a six-year sponsorship deal with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) in July 2010.[24]

BMW has sponsored various European golf events such as the PGA Championship at Wentworth, the BMW Italian Open and the BMW International Open in Germany.[25] [edit] Environmental record

The company is a charter member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Achievement Track, which recognises companies for their environmental stewardship and performance. It is also a member of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program and is on the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index, which rates environmentally friendly companies.[26] BMW has taken measures to reduce the impact the company has on the environment. It is trying to design less-polluting cars by making existing models more efficient, as well as developing environmentally friendly fuels for future vehicles. Possibilities include: electric power, hybrid power (combustion engines and electric motors) hydrogen engines.[27] BMW offers 49 models with EU5/6 emissions norm and nearly 20 models with CO2 output less than 140 g/km, which puts it on the lowest tax group and therefore could provide the future owner with eco-bonus offered from some European countries.

However, there have been some criticisms directed at BMW, and in particular, accusations of greenwash in reference to their BMW Hydrogen 7. Some critics claim that the emissions produced during hydrogen fuel production outweigh the reduction of tailpipe emissions, and that the Hydrogen 7 is a distraction from more immediate, practical solutions for car pollution.[28] [edit] Bicycles

BMW has created a range of high-end bicycles sold online and through dealerships. They range from the Kid's Bike to the EUR 4,499 Enduro Bike.[29] In the United States, only the Cruise Bike and Kid's Bike models are sold.[30] [edit] BMW nomenclature

BMW vehicles follow a certain nomenclature; usually a 3 digit number is followed by 1 or 2 letters. The first number represents the series number. The next two numbers traditionally represent the in cubic centimeters divided by 100.[31] However, more recent cars use those two numbers as a performance index, as e.g. the 116i, 118i and 120i (all 2,0L gas- powered), just like the 325d and 330d (both 3,0L diesel) share the same motor block while adjusting engine power through setup and turbocharging. A similar nomenclature is used by BMW Motorrad for their motorcycles.

The system of letters can be used in combination, and is as follows:

 A = automatic transmission  C = coupé, last used on the BMW E46 and the BMW E63 (dropped after 2005 model year)  c = cabriolet  d = diesel†  e = eta (efficient economy, from the Greek letter 'η')  g = compressed /CNG  h = hydrogen  i = fuel-injected  L = long wheelbase  s = sport, also means "2 dr" on E36 model††  sDrive = rear-wheel drive  T = touring (wagon/estate)  Ti = hatchback for the BMW 3 Series hatchback  x / xDrive = BMW xDrive all-wheel drive

† historic nomenclature indicating "td" refers to "Turbo Diesel", not a diesel hatchback or touring model (524td, 525td) †† typically includes sport , , aerodynamic body kit, upgraded wheels and Limit Differential on pre-95 model etc.

For example, the BMW 750iL is a fuel-injected 7 Series with a long wheelbase and 5.4 of displacement. This badge was used for successive generations, E65 and F01, except the "i" and "L" switched places, so it read "Li" instead of "iL".

When 'L' supersedes the series number (e.g. L6, L7, etc.) it identifies the vehicle as a special luxury variant, featuring extended leather and special interior appointments. The L7 is based on the E23 and E38, and the L6 is based on the E24.

When 'X' is capitalised and supersedes the series number (e.g. X3, X5, etc.) it identifies the vehicle as one of BMW's Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV), their brand of crossovers, featuring BMW's xDrive. The second number in the 'X' series denotes the platform that it is based upon, for instance the X5 is derived from the 5 Series. Unlike BMW cars, the SAV's main badge does not denote engine size, the engine is instead indicated on side badges.

The 'Z' identifies the vehicle as a two-seat roadster (e.g. Z1, Z3, Z4, etc.). 'M' variants of 'Z' models have the 'M' as a suffix or prefix, depending on country of sale (e.g. 'Z4 M' is 'M Roadster' in Canada).

Previous X & Z vehicles had 'i' or 'si' following the engine displacement number (denoted in litres). BMW is now globally standardising this nomenclature on X & Z vehicles by using 'sDrive' or 'xDrive' (simply meaning rear or all-wheel drive, respectively) followed by two numbers which vaguely represent the vehicle's engine (e.g. Z4 sDrive35i is a rear-wheel-drive Z4 roadster with a 3.0 L twin-turbo fuel-injected engine).[32]

BMW last used the 's' for the E36 328is, which ceased production in 1999. However, the 's' nomenclature was brought back on the 2011 model year BMW 335is and BMW Z4 sDrive35is. The 335is is a sport-tuned trim with more performance and an optional dual clutch transmission that slots between the regular 335i and top-of-the-line M3.[33][34]

The 'M' – for Motorsport – identifies the vehicle as a high-performance model of a particular series (e.g. M3, M5, M6, etc.). For example, the M6 is the highest performing vehicle in the 6 Series lineup. Although 'M' cars should be separated into their respective series platforms, it is very common to see 'M' cars grouped together as its own lineup on the official BMW website.

[edit] Exceptions

There are exceptions to the numbering nomenclature.[35]

The M version of the BMW 1 Series was named the BMW 1 Series M Coupe rather than the traditional style "M1" due to the possible confusion with BMW's former BMW M1 homologation sports car. The M versions of the Sports Activity Vehicles, such as the BMW X5 M, could not follow the regular naming convention since MX5 was used for 's MX-5 Miata.

For instance in the 2008 model year, the BMW 125i/128i, 328i, and 528i all had 3.0 naturally aspirated engines (N52), not a 2,500 cc or 2,800 cc engine as the series designation number would lead one to believe. The '28' is to denote a detuned engine in the 2008 cars, compared to the 2006 model year '30' vehicles (330i and 530i) whose 3.0 naturally aspirated engines are from the same N52 family but had more output.

The 2008 BMW 335i and 535i also have 3.0-litre engine; however the engines are twin- turbocharged (N54) which is not identified by the nomenclature. Nonetheless the '35' indicates a more powerful engine than previous '30' models that have the naturally aspirated N52 engine. The 2011 BMW 740i and 335is shares the same twin-turbo 3.0 engine from the N54 family but tuned to higher outputs, although the badging is not consistent ('40' and 's').

The E36 and E46 323i and E39 523i had 2.5-litre engines. The E36 318i made after 1996 has a 1.9 L engine (M44) as opposed to the 1.8 L (M42) used in the 1992 to 1995 models.

The badging for recent V8 engines (N62 and N63) also does not indicate displacement, as the 2006 750i and 2009 750i have 4800 cc (naturally aspirated) and 4400 cc (twin-turbocharged) engines, respectively. [edit] Community

BMW logo sign in Düsseldorf

From the summer of 2001 until October 2005, BMW hosted the "BMW Films". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. website, showcasing sporty models being driven to extremes. These videos are still popular within the enthusiast community and proved to be a ground- breaking online advertising campaign. Annually since 1999, BMW enthusiasts have met in Santa Barbara, CA to attend Bimmerfest. One of the largest brand-specific gatherings in the U.S., over 3,000 people attended in 2006, and over 1,000 BMW cars were present. In 2007, the event was held on 5 May.

[edit] BMW slang

The initials BMW are pronounced [ˈbeː ˈɛm ˈveː] in German.[36] The model series are referred to as "Einser" ("One-er" for 1 series), "Dreier" ("Three-er" for 3 series), "Fünfer" ("Five-er" for the 5 series), "Sechser" ("Six-er" for the 6 series), "Siebener" ("Seven-er" for the 7 series). These are not actually slang, but are the normal way that such letters and numbers are pronounced in German.[37]

The English slang terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em are variously used for BMWs of all kinds,[38][39] cars, and motorcycles.[40][41]

In the US, specialists have been at pains to prescribe that a distinction must be made between using Beemer exclusively to describe BMW motorcycles, and using Bimmer only to refer to BMW cars,[42][43][44] in the manner of a "true aficionado"[45] and avoid appearing to be "uninitiated."[46][47] The Canadian Globe and Mail prefers Bimmer and calls Beemer a "yuppie abomination,"[48] while the Tacoma News Tribune says it is a distinction made by "auto snobs."[49] Using the wrong slang risks offending BMW enthusiasts.[50][51][52] An editor of Business Week was satisfied in 2003 that the question was resolved in favor of Bimmer by noting that a Google search yielded 10 times as many hits compared to Beemer.[53]

[edit] The arts

1975 BMW 3.0CSL painted by Alexander Calder.

Manufacturers employ designers for their cars, but BMW has made efforts to gain recognition for exceptional contributions to and support of the arts, including art beyond motor vehicle design. These efforts typically overlap or complement BMW's marketing and branding campaigns.[54] The headquarters building, designed in 1972 by Karl Schwanzer has become a European icon,[55] and artist Gerhard Richter created his Red, Yellow, Blue series of paintings for the building's lobby.[56][57] In 1975, Alexander Calder was commissioned to paint the 3.0CSL driven by Hervé Poulain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This led to more BMW Art Cars, painted by artists including David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, and others. The cars, currently numbering 17, have been shown at the Louvre, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and, in 2009, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and New York's Grand Central Terminal.[55] BMW was the principal sponsor of the 1998 The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and other Guggenheim museums, though the financial relationship between BMW and the Guggenheim was criticised in many quarters.[58][59]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW Art Cars

The 2006 "BMW Performance Series" was a marketing event geared to attract black car buyers, and featured the "BMW Pop-Jazz Live Series," a tour headlined by jazz musician Mike Phillips, and the "BMW Blackfilms.com Film Series" highlighting black filmmakers.[60]

[edit] April Fools

BMW has garnered a reputation over the years for its April Fools pranks, which are printed in the British press every year. In 2010, they ran an advert announcing that customers would be able to order BMWs with different coloured badges to show their affiliation with the political party they supported. [edit] Overseas subsidiaries

[edit] South Africa

BMWs have been assembled in South Africa since 1968,[61] when Praetor Monteerders' plant was opened in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. BMW initially bought shares in the company, before fully acquiring it in 1975; in so doing, the company became BMW South Africa, the first wholly owned subsidiary of BMW to be established outside Germany. Three unique models that BMW Motorsport created for the South African market were the E23 M745i (1983), which used the M88 engine from the BMW M1, the BMW 333i (1986), which added a six-cylinder 3.2-litre M30 engine to the E30,[62] and the E30 BMW 325is (1989) which was powered by an - derived 2.7-litre engine.

Unlike U.S. manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, which divested from the country in the 1980s, BMW retained full ownership of its operations in South Africa. Following the end of apartheid in 1994, and the lowering of import tariffs, BMW South Africa ended local production of the 5- Series and 7-Series, in order to concentrate on production of the 3-Series for the export market. South African–built BMWs are now exported to right hand drive markets including Japan, Australia, , the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1997, BMW South Africa has produced vehicles in left- hand drive for export to , the United States and Iran, as well as .

BMWs with a VIN starting with "NC0" are manufactured in South Africa.

[edit] United States

BMW Spartanburg factory

BMW Manufacturing Co has been manufacturing the X5 and, more recently, the X6 in Greer near Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.[63] The smaller X3 has began production in Spartanburg. BMW's with a VIN starting with "4US and 5US" are manufactured in Spartanburg.

In 2010 BMW announced that it would spend $750 million to expand operations at the Spartanburg plant. This expansion will allow production of 240,000 vehicles a year and will make the plant the largest car factory in the United States by number of employees.[64]

[edit] India

BMW India was established in 2006 as a sales subsidiary in Gurgaon (National Capital Region). A state-of-the-art assembly plant for BMW 3 and 5 Series started operation in early 2007 in Chennai. Construction of the plant started in January 2006 with an initial investment of more than one billion Indian Rupees. The plant started operation in the first quarter of 2007 and produces the different variants of BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series.[65] In 2011, The Brand Trust Report, India study, ranked BMW as the most trusted brand in India.[66]

[edit] China

Main article: Brilliance Automotive

Signing a deal in 2003 for the production of sedans in China,[67] May 2004 saw the opening of a factory in the North-eastern city of Shenyang where Brilliance Automotive produces BMW- branded automobiles[68] in a joint venture with the German company.[69]

[edit] Canada

In October 2008, BMW Group Canada was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Toronto Star newspaper.[70]

[edit] Egypt

Bavarian Auto Group is a multinational group of companies established in March 2003 when it was appointed as the sole importer of BMW and Mini in Egypt, with monopoly rights for import, assembly, distribution, sales and after-sales support of BMW products in Egypt. Since that date, BAG invested a total amount of US$100 million distributed on seven companies and 11 premises in addition to three stores.

Currently, the facility enables Bavarian Auto the opportunity to offer a full range of locally assembled models; including the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and X3 which. In combination with a new range of imported models; including the BMW 1 Series, 6 Series, X5, X6 and various Mini models. [edit] See also

Bavaria portal

Companies portal

Cars portal  BMW Central  iDrive  List of BMW engines Building  BMW in motorsport  Streetcarver BMW Street  BMW  History of BMW Carver Skateboards CleanEnergy  History of BMW  BMW films motorcycles  BMW Headquarters

[edit] References

1. ^ [Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG' (BFW) "When was BMW founded?"]. BMW Education. BMW. Retrieved 5 December 2011. 2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Annual Report 2010" (PDF). BMW Group. Retrieved 16 March 2011. 3. ^ "Fliegerschule St.Gallen – history" (in German). Archived from the original on 28 May 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2008. 4. ^ Darwin Holmstrom, Brian J. Nelson (2002). BMW Motorcycles. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 076031098X. Retrieved 24 August 2008 5. ^ Johnson, Richard Alan (2005). Six men who built the modern auto industry. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0760319588, 9780760319581 6. ^ Disseminative Capabilities: A Case Study of Collaborative Product Development in the Automotive. Gabler Verlag. 2008. ISBN 3834912549, 9783834912541 7. ^ Kiley, David (2004). Driven: inside BMW, the most admired car company in the world. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 0471269204, 9780471269205 8. ^ BMW. "The origin of the BMW logo". Retrieved 29 December 2011. 9. ^ Stephen Williams. "BMW Roundel: Not Born From Planes". Retrieved 29 December 2011. 10. ^ "BMW Model IIIA – Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum". Nasm.si.edu. Retrieved 18 April 2010. 11. ^ Pavelec, Sterling Michael (007). The Jet Race and the Second World War. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0275993558, 9780275993559 12. ^ Radinger, Will; Schick., Walter (1996). Me262 (in German). Berlin: Avantic Verlag GmbH. p. 23. ISBN 3-925505-21-0 13. ^ Toronto Star 3 July 2004 14. ^ Albrecht Rothacher (2004). Corporate Cultures And Global Brands. World Scientific. p. 239. ISBN 9812388567 15. ^ a b "BMW Group". BMW Group. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 16. ^ "World Motor Vehicle Production, OICA correspondents survey 2006" (PDF). Retrieved 28 August 2010. 17. ^ Hilton Holloway (11 February 2011). "The future of BMW's engines". Autocar. 18. ^ "Bmw Toluca Planta De Automoviles – Carr Mexico-toluca Km 47.5, Lerma, Estado De Mexico". solunet-infomex.com. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 19. ^ BMW Buys Husqvarna From MV Agusta roadracingworld.com retrieved on 30 September 2007 20. ^ "BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo". reported by newBMWseries.com. Retrieved 22 October 2009. 21. ^ "History of Dakar – RETROSPECTIVE 1979–2007" (PDF). Dakar. Retrieved 16 February 2010. 22. ^ "BMW to quit F1 at end of season". BBC News. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 23. ^ "BMW chosen to provide official Minis for 2012 London Olympics". The Times. 18 November 2009. 24. ^ "BMW, USOC make 6-year sponsorship deal official". CNN. 26 July 2010.[dead link] 25. ^ "BMW extends sponsorship of Wentworth PGA event". Sportbusiness.com. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 26. ^ Grahl, C: ―Green finishing‖, page 35(4). Industrial Paint & Powder, 2006 27. ^ Bird, J and Walker, M: ―BMW A Sustainable Future? ‖, page 11. Wild World 2005 28. ^ "Not as Green at it Seems". 29. ^ "BMW Online Shop". Shop.bmwgroup.com. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009. 30. ^ BMWonline – 1-888-BMW-ONLINE (888-269-6654) BMW, clothes, clothing, , , polos, models, miniatures, , tee, tees, , polo, model, miniature, jewelry, motorcycle, leathers, , gloves[dead link] 31. ^ W.P. BMW Group Canada Inc. http://www.bmw.ca 32. ^ FAQ from the BMW Z4 Press Conference, as reported by BMWBLOG, 8 May 2009. http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/05/08/faq-from-the-recent-bmw-press-conference 33. ^ "Preview: 2011 BMW 335is Coupe – Posted Driving". Network.nationalpost.com. Retrieved 28 August 2010. 34. ^ Cunningham, Wayne (13 July 2010). "2011 BMW 335is (photos) – CNET Reviews". Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved 28 August 2010. 35. ^ Carver, Robert. BMW San Antonio. BMW Information http://www.mrbimmer.com/bmw.information 36. ^ Stevens Sheldon, Edward (1891). A short German grammar for high schools and colleges. Heath. p. 1 37. ^ Schmitt, Peter A (2004). Langenscheidt Fachwörterbuch Technik und Angewandte Wissenschaften: Englisch – Deutsch / Deutsch – Englisch (2nd ed.). Langenscheidt Fachverlag. ISBN 386117233X, 9783861172338 38. ^ "Bee em / BMW Motorcycle Club of Inc". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 23 October 2009. 39. ^ "No Toupees allowed". Bangkok Post. 209–10–02. Retrieved 24 October 2009. 40. ^ Lighter, Jonathan E. (1994). Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang: A-G. 1. Random House. pp. 126–7. ISBN 0394544277, 9780394544274. "Beemer n. [BMW + ''er''] a BMW automobile. Also Beamer. 1982 S. Black Totally Awesome 83 BMW ("Beemer"). 1985 L.A. Times (13 Apr.) V 4: Id much rather drive my Beemer than a . 1989 L. Roberts Full Cleveland 39: Baby boomers... in... late-model Beemers. 1990 Hull High (NBC-TV): You should ee my dad's new Beemer. 1991 Cathy (synd. cartoon strip) (21 Apr.): Sheila... [ground] multi-grain snack chips crumbs into the back seat of my brand-new Beamer! 1992 Time (18 May) 84: Its residents tend to drive pickups or subcompacts, not Beemers or Rolles." 41. ^ Lighter, Jonathan E. (1994). Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang: A-G. 1. Random House. p. 159. ISBN 0394544277, 9780394544274. "Bimmer n. BEEMER." 42. ^ "Bimmer vs. Beemer". boston-bmwcca.org. Retrieved 23 June 2007. 43. ^ Duglin Kennedy, Shirley (2005). The Savvy Guide to Motorcycles. Indy Tech Publishing. ISBN 0790613166, 9780790613161. "Beemer – BMW motorcycle; as opposed to Bimmer, which is a BMW automobile." 44. ^ Yates, Brock (12 March 1989). "You Say Porsch and I Say Porsch-eh". The Washington Post: p. w45. "'Bimmer' is the slang for a BMW automobile, but 'Beemer' is right when referring to the company's motorcycles."[dead link] 45. ^ Morsi, Pamela (2002). Doing Good. Mira. p. 18. ISBN 155166884X, 9781551668840. "True aficionados know that the nickname Beemer actually refers to the BMW motorcycle. Bimmer is the correct nickname for the automobile" 46. ^ Herchenroether, Dan; SellingAir, LLC (2004). Selling Air: A Tech Bubble Novel. SellingAir, LLC. ISBN 0975422405, 9780975422403 47. ^ , Peter (1998). Hydrogen & letter. Peter Hoffmann. "For the uninitiated, a Bimmer is a BMW car, and a Beemer is a motorcycle." 48. ^ English, Bob (7 April 2009). "Why wait for spring? Lease it now". Globe and Mail (Toronto, CA: CTVglobemedia Publishing). "If you're a Bimmer enthusiast (not that horrible leftover 1980s yuppie abomination Beemer), you've undoubtedly read the reviews," 49. ^ THE NOSE: FWay students knew who they were voting for in school poll :[South Sound Edition]. 25 October 2002. The News Tribune,p. B01. Retrieved 6 July 2009, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 223030831) |quote=We're told by auto snobs that the word 'beemer' actually refers to the BMW motorcycle, and that when referring to a BMW automobile, the word's pronounced 'bimmer.' 50. ^ "ROAD WARRIOR Q&A: Freeway Frustration". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 25 May 2005. "I was informed a while back that BMW cars are 'Bimmers' and BMW motorcycles are 'Beemers' or 'Beamers.' I know that I am not here to change the world's BMW jargon nor do I even own a BMW, but I thought I would pass along this bit of info as not to offend the car enthusiast that enlightened me." 51. ^ "GWINNETT VENT.(Gwinnett News)". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, GA): p. J2. 11 February 2006. "It is Bimmers people, Bimmers. Not Beamers, not Beemers. Just Bimmers. And start pronouncing it correctly also. No, it's BMWs, not Bimmers. WOW! Some Beamer driver must be having a bad hair day." 52. ^ Zesiger, Sue (26 June 2000). "Why Is BMW Driving Itself Crazy? The Rover deal was a dog, but it didn't cure BMW's desire to be a big-league carmaker—even if that means more risky tactics". Fortune Magazine (CNN). "Bimmers (yes, it's 'Bimmer' for cars—the often misused 'Beemer' refers only to the motorcycles)." 53. ^ "International – Readers Report. Not All BMW Owners Are Smitten". Business Week (The McGraw-Hill Companies). 30 June 2003. "Editor's note: Both nicknames are widely used, though Bimmer is the correct term for BMW cars, Beemer for BMW motorcycles. A Google search yields approximately 10 times as many references to Bimmer as to Beemer." 54. ^ "BMW Commissions Artists for Auto Werke Art Project". Art Business News 27 (13): p. 22. 2000 55. ^ a b Patton, Phil (12 March 2009). "These Canvases Need Oil and a Good Driver". The New York Times: p. AU1 56. ^ Friedel, Helmut; Storr, Robert (2007). Gerhard Richter: Red – Yellow – Blue. Prestel. ISBN 9783791338606 57. ^ Shea, Christopher (27 March 2009). "Action Painting, motorized". Boston Globe 58. ^ ""Economist, The (US) (21 April 2001). When merchants enter the temple; Marketing museums. The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group 59. ^ Vogel, Carol (3 August 1998). "Latest Biker Hangout? Guggenheim Ramp". The New York Times: p. A1 60. ^ "BMW arts series aims at black consumers". Automotive News 80 (6215): p. 37. 7 August 2006 61. ^ "Corporate Information: History". BMW South Africa. 62. ^ "BMW South Africa – Plant Rosslyn". Bmwplant.co.za. Retrieved 11 April 2009. 63. ^ "Out with the old, in with the new" (Press release). BMW AG. 16 October 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2008. 64. ^ Bennett, Jeff (14 October 2010). "BMW to Expand Plant in South Carolina". The Wall Street Journal: p. B5. 65. ^ Interone Worldwide GmbH (11 December 2006). "International BMW website". Bmw.in. Retrieved 11 April 2009. 66. ^ "Maruti emerges seventh on list of nation's most trusted 300 brands". indiaprwire.com. 2011-24-20. 67. ^ General Overview Brilliance Auto Official Site 68. ^ "BMW opens China factory – TestDriven.co.uk". Testdriven.co.uk. 21 May 2004. Retrieved 11 April 2009. 69. ^ Brands and Products > BMW Sedan Brilliance Auto Official Site 70. ^ "Reasons for Selection, 2009 Greater Toronto's Top Employers Competition". [edit] External links

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Mercedes-Benz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the manufacturer. For the song, see Mercedes Benz (song). Mercedes-Benz

Type Division of Daimler AG Industry Manufacturing Benz & Cie. Predecessor Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft Founded 1886 Karl Benz Founder(s) Gottlieb Daimler Headquarters Stuttgart, Germany Area served Worldwide Key people , Chairman Automobiles Products Buses Internal combustion engines Services Financial services

Parent Daimler AG

Website www.mercedes-benz.com

Mercedes-Benz (German pronunciation: [mɛʁˈtseːdəs ˈbɛnts]) is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG. The name first appeared in 1926 but traces its origins to Daimler's 1901 Mercedes and to Karl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, widely regarded as the first automobile.

Contents

[hide]  1 History  2 Subsidiaries and alliances o 2.1 Mercedes-Benz AMG o 2.2 Mercedes-Benz McLaren o 2.3 Studebaker-Packard  3 Production o 3.1 Factories o 3.2 Quality rankings o 3.3 Sales success  4 Models o 4.1 Current model range . 4.1.1 Passenger cars . 4.1.2 Trucks . 4.1.3 Buses and o 4.2 Significant models produced o 4.3 Car nomenclature o 4.4 Environmental record o 4.5 Bicycles  5 Motorsport o 5.1 Formula 1  6 Noted employees  7 Innovations o 7.1 Robot cars  8 Tuners  9 See also  10 References  11 External links

[edit] History

Main articles: Karl Benz, Bertha Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, Emil Jellinek, Wilhelm , and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft

Mercedes-Benz S-class

Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Karl Benz's creation of the first petrol-powered car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, patented in January 1886[1] and Gottlieb Daimler and engineer 's conversion of a stagecoach by the addition of a later that year. The Mercedes automobile was first marketed in 1901 by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. The first Mercedes-Benz brand name vehicles were produced in 1926, following the merger of Karl Benz's and Gottlieb Daimler's companies into the Daimler-Benz company.[1] Mercedes-Benz has introduced many technological and safety innovations that later became common in other vehicles.[2] Mercedes-Benz is one of the most well-known and established automotive brands in the world, and is also the world's oldest automotive brand still in existence today. For information relating to the famous three-pointed star, see under the title Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft including the merger into Daimler-Benz. [edit] Subsidiaries and alliances

As part of the Daimler AG company, the Mercedes-Benz Cars division includes Mercedes-Benz, and Maybach car production.[3]

[edit] Mercedes-Benz AMG

Mercedes-Benz AMG became a majority owned division of Mercedes-Benz in 1998.[4] The company was integrated into DaimlerChrysler in 1999,[5] and became Mercedes-Benz AMG beginning on 1 January 1999.[6]

[edit] Mercedes-Benz McLaren

Main article: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Between 2003 and 2009, Mercedes-Benz produced a limited-production sports car with McLaren Cars, an extension of the collaboration by which Mercedes engines are used by the Team McLaren-Mercedes Formula One racing team, which is part owned by Mercedes. McLaren ceased production of the SLR in 2009 and went on to develop its own car, the McLaren MP4- 12C, launched in 2011.

[edit] Studebaker-Packard

In 1958, Mercedes-Benz entered into a distribution agreement with the Studebaker-Packard Corporation of South Bend, Indiana (USA), makers of Studebaker and Packard brand automobiles.[7] Under the deal, Studebaker would allow Mercedes-Benz access to its dealer network in the U.S., handle shipments of vehicles to the dealers, and in return, receive compensation for each car sold. Mercedes-Benz maintained an office within the Studebaker works in South Bend from 1958 to 1963, when Studebaker's U.S. operations ceased. Many U.S Studebaker dealers converted to Mercedes-Benz dealerships at that time. [edit] Production

[edit] Factories Besides its native Germany, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are also manufactured or assembled in:

(buses, trucks and the Sprinter van. The first Mercedes-Benz factory outside of Germany)[8]  Austria (G-Class)[9]   Brazil[10] Manufacture the trucks, buses and the C-Class. Established in 1956. The A- Class (W168) was produced from 1999 to 2005 as well.  Canada  Egypt via Egyptian German Automotive Company  Hungary (construction of a new plant in the country announced on 18 June 2008, for the next generation A- and B-Class)[11][12]  India[13]  Indonesia[14]  Iran (Not since 2010[15])  Malaysia[16]  Mexico  Nigeria[17] (buses, trucks, utility motors and the Sprinter van)  Philippines  Russia (E-Class)  , factory at Vitoria-Gasteiz, Mercedes-Benz Vito have been built there.  South Africa[18]  (Mercedes-Benz Musso and MB100 models manufactured by SsangYong Motor Company)  Thailand (assembly of C, E and S class vehicles by the Thonburi Group)[19]  Turkey[20]  United Kingdom—SLR sports car was built at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. Brackley, Northamptonshire, is home to the Mercedes Grand Prix factory, and Brixworth, Northamptonshire is the location of Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines  United States The Mercedes-Benz M-Class Sport Utility, the R-Class Sport Tourer, and the full-sized GL-Class Luxury are all built at the Mercedes-Benz production facility near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.[21]  Passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Established in 1995[22]

[edit] Quality rankings

Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz had maintained a reputation for its quality and durability. Objective measures looking at passenger vehicles, such as J. D. Power surveys, demonstrated a downturn in reputation in these criteria in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By mid-2005, Mercedes temporarily returned to the industry average for initial quality, a measure of problems after the first 90 days of ownership, according to J.D. Power.[23] In J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study for the first quarter of 2007, Mercedes showed dramatic improvement by from 25th to 5th place, surpassing quality leader Toyota, and earning several awards for its models.[24] For 2008, Mercedes-Benz's initial quality rating improved by yet another mark, to fourth place.[25] On top of this accolade, it also received the Platinum Plant Quality Award for its Mercedes‘ , Germany assembly plant.[25] In April 2011, Consumer Reports of the rates six of thirteen Mercedes-Benz models as "below average".[26] However, J.D. Power's 2011 US Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability Studies both ranked Mercedes-Benz vehicles above average.[27][28]

[edit] Sales success

On 5 January 2012, owners Daimler reported that a total of 1,260,912 Mercedes-Benz cars had been sold during 2011 - the best ever figure attained by the company.[29] [edit] Models

[edit] Current model range

Mercedes-Benz carries a full range of passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial equipment. Vehicles are manufactured in multiple countries worldwide. The Smart marque of city cars and Maybach luxury cars are also produced by Daimler AG.

[edit] Passenger cars

See also: List of Mercedes-Benz cars

The following passenger vehicles were in production in 2011:

 A-Class—Hatchback  B-Class—Multi-Activity  C-Class—Saloon, Estate & Coupé  CL-Class—Coupé  CLS-Class—Coupé  E-Class—Saloon, Estate, Coupé & Cabriolet  G-Class—Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)  GL-Class—Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)  GLK-Class - Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)  M-Class—Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)  R-Class—Luxury Tourer Vehicle (LTV)  S-Class—Saloon  SL-Class—Roadster  SLK-Class—Roadster  SLS AMG—Coupé  SLS AMG—Roadster  Viano—Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV)

[edit] Trucks

See also: List of Mercedes-Benz trucks Mercedes-Benz Trucks is now part of the Daimler Trucks division, and includes companies that were part of the DaimlerChrysler merger. Gottlieb Daimler sold the world's first truck in 1886.[30]

[edit] Buses and vans

Main article: Mercedes-Benz buses

Mercedes-Benz Vario

Mercedes-Benz also produces buses, mainly for Europe and Asia. Mercedes-Benz produces a range of vans. The first factory to be built outside Germany after WWII was in Argentina. It originally built trucks, many of which were modified independently to buses, popularly named Colectivo. Today, it builds buses, trucks and the Sprinter van.

[edit] Significant models produced

Pope Benedict XVI in a Mercedes-Benz Popemobile in São Paulo, Brazil

 1928: SSK racing car  1930: 770 "Großer Mercedes" state and ceremonial car  1934: 500 K  1936: 260 D World's first diesel production car  1936: 170  1938: W195 Speed Record-breaker  1951: Mercedes-Benz 300, knownly as "Adenauer Mercedes"  1953: "Ponton" models  1954: 300SL "Gullwing"  1959: "Fintail" models  1960: 220SE Cabriolet[disambiguation needed ]  1963: 600 "Grand Mercedes"  1963: 230SL "Pagoda"  1965: Mercedes-Benz S-Class  1966: 300SEL 6.3  1968: W114 "new generation" compact cars  1969: C111 experimental vehicle  1972: Mercedes-Benz W107 350SL  1974: 450SEL 6.9  1974: 240D  1975: Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon - Mercedes' first station wagon  1976: 300D  1978: 300SD - Mercedes' first turbo diesel  1979: 500SEL and G-Class  1983: 190E 2.3–16  1991: 600SEL  1993: First 'E-Class'  1995: First 'Joint Mercedes-Benz & AMG' (C43 AMG)  1995: Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG, 7.3 V12 (biggest engine ever put in a Mercedes-Benz)  1996: Mercedes-Benz E7.4RS  1997: Mercedes-Benz SLK  1997: Mercedes-Benz M-Class  2004: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren  2004: Mercedes-Benz CLS  2007: E320, GL320 Bluetec, ML320 Bluetec, R320 Bluetec  2010: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

[edit] Car nomenclature

Until 1994, Mercedes-Benz used an alphanumeric system for categorising their vehicles, consisting of a number sequence approximately equal to the engine's displacement in liters multiplied by 100, followed by an arrangement of alphabetical suffixes indicating body style and engine type.

 "C" indicates a coupe or cabriolet body style.  "D" means the vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine.  "E" (for "Einspritzen") means the vehicle's engine is equipped with petrol . In most cases (the 600 being the exception), if neither "E" or "D" is present, the vehicle has a petrol engine with a carburettor.  "G" denotes the Geländewagen off-road vehicle.  "K" was used in the 1930s, indicating a ("Kompressor") equipped engine. One exception is the SSK, where K indicates "Kurz" (short-wheelbase).  "L" means "Leicht" (lightweight) for sporting models, and "Lang" (long-wheelbase) for sedan models.  "R" stands for "Rennen" (racing), used for racing cars (for example, the 300SLR).  "S" Sonderklasse "Special class" for flagship models.  "T" stands for "Touring" and indicates an estate (or station wagon) body style.

Some models in the 1950s also had lower-case letters (b, c, and d) to indicate specific trim levels.

For some models, the numeric part of the designation does not match the engine displacement. This was done to show the model's position in the model lineup independent of displacement or in the price matrix. For these vehicles, the actual displacement in liters is suffixed to the model designation. For example, the 190-class all had "190" for the numeric designation, regardless of the engine size, to indicate their entry-level status. Also, some older models (such as the SS and SSK) did not have a number as part of the designation at all.

For the 1994 model year, Mercedes-Benz revised the naming system. Models were divided into "classes" denoted by an arrangement of up to three letters (see "Current model range" above), followed by a three-digit (or two-digit for AMG models, with the number approximately equal to the displacement in liters multiplied by 10) number related to the engine size, as before. Variants of the same model (such as an estate version, or a vehicle with a diesel engine) are no longer given a separate letter. In most cases, the class designation is arbitrary. The SLR and SLS do not carry a numerical designation.

As before, some models' numerical designations do not match the engine's actual displacement; in these cases the number shows the model's relative performance within the class. For example, the E250 CGI has greater performance than the E200 CGI because of different engine tuning, even though both have 1.8-litre engines. Recent AMG models use the "63" designation (in honor of the 1960s 6.3-litre M100 engine) despite being equipped with either a 6.2-litre (M156) or 5.5- litre (M157) engine.

Some models carry further designations indicating special features:

 "4MATIC" means the vehicle is equipped with all-wheel-drive.  "BlueTEC" indicates a diesel engine with selective catalytic reduction exhaust aftertreatment.  "BlueEFFICIENCY" indicates special fuel economy features (direct injection, start-stop system, aerodynamic modifications, etc.)  "CGI" (Charged Injection) indicates direct gasoline injection.  "CDI" (Common-rail Direct Injection) indicates a common-rail diesel engine.  "Hybrid" indicates a gasoline- or diesel-electric hybrid.  "NGT" indicates a natural gas-fueled engine.  "Kompressor" indicates a supercharged engine.  "Turbo" indicates a turbocharged engine, only used on A-, B-,Е- and GLK-Class models.

All model designation badges can be deleted upon the customer's request.

[edit] Environmental record Mercedes-Benz has developed multi concept cars with alternative propulsion, such as hybrid- electric, fully electric, and fuel-cell powertrains. At the 2007 Frankfurt motor show, Mercedes- Benz showed seven hybrid models, including the F700 , powered by a hybrid-electric featuring the DiesOtto engine.[31][32] In 2009, Mercedes-Benz displayed three BlueZERO concepts at the North American International Auto Show. Each car features a different powertrain - battery-electric, fuel-cell electric, and gasoline-electric hybrid.[33][34] In the same year, Mercedes also showed the Vision S500 PHEV concept with a 19 miles (31 km) all- [35] electric range and CO2 emissions of 74 grams/km in the New European Driving Cycle.

Since 2002, Mercedes-Benz has developed the F-Cell . The current version, based on the B-Class, has a 250 mile range and is available for lease, with volume production scheduled to begin in 2014. Mercedes has also announced the SLS AMG E-Cell, a fully electric version of the SLS sports car, with deliveries expected in 2013.[36] The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID[37] was launched in 2009, and is the first production automotive hybrid in the world to use a lithium-ion battery.[38][39][40] In mid-2010, production commenced on the Vito E- Cell all-electric van. Mercedes expects 100 vehicles to be produced by the end of 2010 and a further 2000 by the end of 2011.[41]

In 2008, Mercedes-Benz announced that it would have a demonstration fleet of small electric cars in two to three years.[42] Mercedes-Benz and Smart are preparing for the widespread uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK by beginning the installation of recharging points across their dealer networks. So far 20 Elektrobay recharging units, produced in the UK by Brighton- based Elektromotive, have been installed at seven locations as part of a pilot project, and further expansion of the initiative is planned later in 2010.[43]

In the United States, Mercedes-Benz was assessed a record US$30.66 million for their decision to not meet the federal corporate average fuel economy standard in 2009.[44] Certain Mercedes- Benz cars including the S550, and all AMG models sold in the United States also face an additional gas guzzler tax.[45] However, newer AMG models fitted with the M157 engine will not be subject to the gas-guzzler tax due to improved fuel economy,[46] and newer models powered by the M276 and M278 engines will have better fuel economy. In 2008, Mercedes also had the worst CO2 average of all major European manufacturers, ranking 14th out of 14 manufacturers.[47] Mercedes was also the worst manufacturer in 2007 and 2006 in terms of [48] average CO2 levels, with 181 g and 188 g of CO2 emitted per km, respectively.

[edit] Bicycles

Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH introduced three new bicycles in 2005,[49] and the range has developed to include the patent pending Foldingbike in 2007.[50] Other models include the Mercedes-Benz Carbon Bike,[51] Fitness Bike[52] and the Trailblazer Bike.[53] [edit] Motorsport

Main article: Mercedes-Benz in motorsport

A DMG Mercedes Simplex 1906 in the Deutsches Museum

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Cabriolet

1959 Mercedes-Benz W120 Model 180

The two companies which were merged to form the Mercedes-Benz brand in 1926 had both already enjoyed success in the new sport of motor racing throughout their separate histories— both had entries in the very first automobile race Paris to Rouen 1894. This has continued, and throughout its long history, the company has been involved in a range of motorsport activities, including sports car racing and rallying. On several occasions Mercedes-Benz has withdrawn completely from motorsport for a significant period, notably in the late 1930s, and after the , where a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR collided with another car and killed more than 80 spectators. and co-driver Denis Jenkinson made history by winning the 1955 Mille Miglia road race in Italy during a record-breaking drive with an average speed was almost 98 mph in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR.[54]

Although there was some activity in the intervening years, it was not until 1987 that Mercedes- Benz returned to front line competition, returning to Le Mans, Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM), and Formula One with Sauber. The 1990s saw Mercedes-Benz purchase British engine builder Ilmor (now Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines), and campaign under the USAC/CART rules, eventually winning the 1994 Indianapolis 500 and 1994 CART IndyCar World Series Championship with Al Unser, Jr. at the wheel. The 1990s also saw the return of Mercedes-Benz to GT racing, and the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, both of which took the company to new heights by dominating the FIA's GT1 class.

Mercedes-Benz is currently active in three forms of motorsport, , DTM and Formula One.

[edit] Formula 1

Main article: Mercedes GP

Mercedes-Benz took part in the world championship in 1954 and 1955, but despite being successful with two championship titles for Juan-Manuel Fangio,[55] the company left the sport after just two seasons. He is considered by many to be the best F1 driver in history.[56]

Mercedes-Benz returned as an engine supplier in the 1990s and part-owned Team McLaren for some years, to which it has supplied engines engineered by Ilmor[57] since 1995. This partnership brought success, including drivers championships for Mika Häkkinen in 1998 and 1999, and for Lewis Hamilton in 2008, as well as a constructors championship in 1998. The collaboration with McLaren had been extended into the production of roadgoing cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

In 2007, McLaren and Mercedes was fined a record US$100 million for stealing confidential technical data.[58]

In 2009, 's newly conceived Formula One team, Brawn GP used Mercedes engines to help win the constructor's championship, and Jenson Button to become champion in the F1 drivers' championship. At the end of the season, Mercedes-Benz sold back its 40% stake in McLaren to the McLaren Group and bought 70% of the Brawn GP team jointly with an Abu Dubai based investment consortium. Brawn GP was renamed Mercedes GP for the 2010 season and is, from this season on, a works team for Mercedes-Benz. [edit] Noted employees

 Paul Bracq—major designer of automobiles in the 20th century  Béla Barényi—car safety pioneer (rigid passenger safety shell), joined Daimler-Benz in 1937[59]  Wilhelm Maybach—automotive pioneer, first met Gottlieb Daimler in 1865[60]  —founder of Porsche, joined Mercedes in 1923 and developed the Kompressor[61]  Bruno Sacco—joined Daimler-Benz as a designer in 1958. Head of Design in 1975, retired in 1999[62]  Rudolf Uhlenhaut—joined Daimler-Benz in 1931, his designs included the Silver Arrows, the 300 SL and 300SLR[63]  Adolf Eichmann—former Nazi criminal. Worked in Argentina's factory after WWII  —one of the greatest GP drivers in history drove MB Silver Arrows in competition [edit] Innovations

Numerous technological innovations have been introduced on Mercedes-Benz automobiles throughout the many years of their production, including:

 The internal combustion engined automobile was developed independently by Benz and Daimler & Maybach in 1886  Daimler invented the honeycomb radiator of the type still used on all water-cooled vehicles today  Daimler invented the float which was used until replaced by fuel injection  The "drop chassis"—the car originally designated the "Mercedes" by Daimler was also the first car with a modern configuration, having the carriage lowered and set between the front and rear wheels, with a front engine and powered rear wheels. All earlier cars were "horseless carriages", which had high centres of gravity and various engine/drive-train configurations  The first passenger road car to have brakes on all four wheels (1924)[64]  The "safety cage" or "safety cell" construction with front and rear crumple zones was first developed by Mercedes-Benz in 1951. This is considered by many as the most important innovation in automobile construction from a safety standpoint[2][verification needed]  In 1959, Mercedes-Benz patented a device that prevents drive wheels from spinning by intervening at the engine, transmission, or brakes. In 1987, Mercedes-Benz applied its patent by introducing a traction control system that worked under both braking and acceleration  Traction control and in the European market, were Mercedes-Benz innovations.[citation needed] These technologies were introduced in 1986, and 1980 respectively  Mercedes-Benz was the first to introduce pre-tensioners to seat belts on the 1981 S-Class. In the event of a crash, a pre-tensioner will tighten the belt instantaneously, removing any 'slack' in the belt, which prevents the occupant from jerking forward in a crash  In September 2003, Mercedes-Benz introduced the world's first seven-speed automatic transmission called '7G-Tronic'  Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), brake assist,[65] and many other types of safety equipment were all developed, tested, and implemented into passenger cars—first—by Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz has not made a large fuss about its innovations, and has even licensed them for use by competitors—in the name of improving automobile and passenger safety. As a result, crumple zones and anti-lock brakes (ABS) are now standard on all modern vehicles.[2][verification needed]

Mercedes M156 engine

 The most powerful naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine in the world is the Mercedes- AMG, 6,208 cc M156 V8 engine at 85 PS (63 kW) per litre. The V8 engine is badged '63 AMG', and replaced the '55 AMG' M113 engine in most models. The M156 engine produces up to 391 kW (532 PS; 524 bhp), and although some models using this engine do have this output (such as the S63 and CL63 AMGs), specific output varies slightly across other models in the range[66]  The (W211) E320 CDI which has a variable geometry turbocharger (VTG) 2.8-litre V6 diesel engine (producing 224 hp/167 kW), set three world endurance records. It covered 100,000 miles (160,000 km) in a record time, with an average speed of 224.823 km/h (139.70 mph). Three identical cars did the endurance run (one set above record) and the other two cars set world records for time taken to cover 100,000 kilometres (62,137 mi) and 50,000 miles (80,000 km) respectively. After all three cars had completed the run, their combined distance was 300,000 miles (480,000 km) (all records were FIA approved).[67][clarification needed]  Mercedes-Benz pioneered a system called Pre-Safe to detect an imminent crash—and prepares the car's safety systems to respond optimally. It also calculates the optimal braking force required to avoid an accident in emergency situations, and makes it immediately available for when the driver depresses the brake pedal. Occupants are also prepared by tightening the seat belt, closing the and windows, and moving the seats into the optimal position.

Half a century of vehicle safety innovation helped win Mercedes-Benz the Safety Award at the 2007 What Car? Awards.[64]

[edit] Robot cars

Main article: Driverless car

In the 1980s, Mercedes built the world's first robot car, together with the team of Professor Ernst Dickmanns at Bundeswehr University Munich.[68] Partially encouraged by Dickmanns' success, in 1987 the European Union's EUREKA programme initiated the Prometheus Project on autonomous vehicles, funded to the tune of nearly €800 million. A culmination point was achieved in 1995, when Dickmanns' re-engineered autonomous S-Class Mercedes took a long trip from Munich in Bavaria to Copenhagen in Denmark, and back. On highways, the robot achieved speeds exceeding 175 km/h (109 mph) (permissible in some areas of the German Autobahn). The car's abilities has heavily influenced robot car research and funding decisions worldwide. [edit] Tuners

Several companies have become car tuners (or modifiers) of Mercedes Benz, in order to increase performance and/or luxury to a given model.

AMG is Mercedes-Benz's in-house performance-tuning division, specialising in high- performance versions of most Mercedes-Benz cars. AMG engines are all hand-built,[69] and each completed engine receives a tag with the signature of the engineer who built it. AMG has been wholly owned by Mercedes-Benz since 1999.[70] The 2009 SLS AMG, a revival of the 300SL Gullwing, is the first car to be entirely developed by AMG.

There are numerous independent tuners including, , , , Renntech and MKB. [edit] See also

Companies portal

 Mercedes-Benz Classic Center [edit] References

1. ^ a b "Mercedes-Benz History". Edmunds.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 2. ^ a b c "Mercedes-Benz Safety Innovations". Theautochannel.com. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 3. ^ Daimler AG Investor Relations 4. ^ "Behind the Scenes: Mercedez-Benz AMG". Motortrend.com. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 5. ^ "Mercedes-AMG: unique, top-quality model line-up is popular worldwide". Media.daimler.com. 10 April 2000. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 6. ^ "The history of Mercedes-AMG GmbH". Media.daimler.com. 20 December 2000. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 7. ^ Adams, Bruce A (2007). Mercedes-Benz Club America: 50 years of history, p. 24. Turner P{ublishing Co, Nashville TN USA. ISBN 1-59652-181-3. 8. ^ "/// Mercedes-Benz Argentina ///". Mercedes-benz.com.ar. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 9. ^ Martin, Norman (1999). "Going, Going, Graz". Automotive Industries. 10. ^ "DaimlerChrysler". DaimlerChrysler. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 11. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Plant Kecskemét". Daimler-Benz. Retrieved 15 October 2009. 12. ^ "Germany: Daimler Selects Plant Site". New York Times. 19 June 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2009. 13. ^ "Mercedes-Benz India – Passenger Cars Homepage". Mercedes-benz.co.in. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 14. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Indonesia – Passenger Cars homepage". Mercedes-benz.co.id. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 15. ^ "Daimler to sever links with Iran". BBC News. 14 April 2010. 16. ^ DaimlerChrysler Malaysia 17. ^ "Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company Ltd". Anammco.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 18. ^ "South Africa's automotive industry". SouthAfrica.info. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 19. ^ "Thonburi Group:Serving the Thai market for more than six decades". Retrieved 15 October 2009. 20. ^ Mercedes-Benz Türk A.Ş 21. ^ "MBUSI Products/Models". Mbusi.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 22. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Company Overview". mercedes-benz.com.vn. Daimler AG. 2010. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010. "Established in 1995...Mercedes-Benz Vietnam....supplies both passenger cars and commercial vehicles to the market." 23. ^ "Business Week, November 2006". BusinessWeek. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 24. ^ "J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Captures Most Awards in 2007 Initial Quality Study". Jdpower.com. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 25. ^ a b "2008 Initial Quality Study | J.D. Power and Associates". Jdpower.com. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 26. ^ "Reliability trends, reliability findings". Consumerreports.org. April 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011. 27. ^ "2011 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS)". JDpower.com. June 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 28. ^ "2011 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study". JDpower.com. March 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 29. ^ [1] 30. ^ Daimler AG press release 31. ^ "Mercedes vehicles at the 2007 Frankfurt show". Emercedesbenz.com. 6 September 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 32. ^ "A hybrid drives Mercedes concept". .lexisnexis.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 33. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZERO: Modular Drive Concept for Electric Vehicles | Daimler > Technology & Innovation > News". Daimler AG. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2009. 34. ^ "Mercedes-Benz BlueZero Concept (2009) with pictures and wallpapers". NetCarShow.com. Retrieved 26 April 2009. 35. ^ "The Ultimate Posting on Plug-In Hybrid Developments: Clip & Save". Calcars.org. Retrieved 17 December 2009. 36. ^ "Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell-Prototype Drive". Car and Driver. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 37. ^ "Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID: CO2 Champion in the Luxury Class with Efficient Hybrid Drive System and Lithium-Ion Technology | Daimler > Brands & Products > News". Daimler AG. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2009. 38. ^ Abuelsamid, Sam (29 February 2008). "Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid, first production lithium ion hybrid". AutoBlogGreen.com. Retrieved 26 April 2009. 39. ^ "Mercedes enters the hybrid game – the S400 BlueHybrid". AutoUnleashed.com. Retrieved 26 April 2009. 40. ^ "2007 IAA Report – S-Class hybrid". Caranddriver.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 41. ^ Abuelsamid, Sam (30 July 2010). "Mercedes-Benz introduces new Vito E-Cell van – Autoblog Green". Green.autoblog.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 42. ^ Healey, James R. (23 March 2008). "Mercedes sees electric-car progress". USA Today. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 43. ^ "Elektromotive.com". Elektromotive.com. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 44. ^ A huge fine for Mercedes-Benz for poor by Jeremy Korzeniewski on 8 January 2009, AutoblogGreen 45. ^ "Vehicles Subject to the Gas Guzzler Tax for Model Year 2009 (EPA420-B-08-016)" (PDF). Retrieved 26 September 2010. 46. ^ Gillies, Mark (March 2010). "2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG - Auto Shows". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2011-06-15. 47. ^ "Car company CO2 Report for 2008". Transport & Environment. Retrieved 21 October 2009. 48. ^ "Car company CO2 Report for 2007". Transport & Environment. Retrieved 24 November 2008. 49. ^ "Mercedes-Benz presents the innovative Automatic Bike". Worldcarfans.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 50. ^ 8 July 2009 51. ^ Mercedes Accessories Bike Collection 52. ^ Mercedes-Benz Bike brochure 2009 53. ^ "Mercedes-Benz 2009 Bike Collection: The trailblazer". Mercedes-Benz Bike. Retrieved 2011-06-15. 54. ^ "Telegraph 23 December 2008". The Daily Telegraph. UK. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 55. ^ "The official Formula 1 website". Formula1.com. 24 June 1911. Retrieved 26 April 2009. 56. ^ "Enciclopedia Britannica". Britannica.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 57. ^ "Ilmor: Bowmen of the Silver Arrows". Atlasf1.autosport.com. Retrieved 26 April 2009. 58. ^ "FIA: $100M fine handed to Mercedes". FIA. Retrieved 26 April 2009. 59. ^ "Daimler press release 8 June 2009". Media.daimler.com. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 60. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Classic website". Mercedes-benz-classic.com. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 61. ^ "Porsche website". Porsche.com. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 62. ^ "Automotive Hall of Fame". Automotive Hall of Fame. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 63. ^ "Daimler press release 13 June 2007". Media.daimler.com. Retrieved 12 March 2011. 64. ^ a b "Magazine". Roadsafe.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 65. ^ Mercedes Introduces PRE-SAFE Brake Safety System Posted on 22 June 2006, The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog 66. ^ "Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre V8 Engine : News & Reports : Motoring". Web Wombat. 13 July 2005. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 67. ^ "New Mercedes Diesel Engine Breaks World Endurance Record". Edmunds.com. Retrieved 29 September 2010. 68. ^ Schmidhuber, Jürgen (2009). "Prof. Schmidhuber's highlights of robot car history". Retrieved 15 July 2011. 69. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Ireland – New cars – AMG". Mercedes-benz.ie. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 70. ^ "History of AMG". Pistonheads.com. 18 October 2002. Retrieved 26 September 2010. [edit] External links

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Volkswagen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "VW" redirects here. For other uses, see VW (disambiguation). This article is about Volkswagen Passenger Cars. For the parent group, see Volkswagen Group. For Volkswagen vans, trucks and buses, see Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and

removed. (May 2010) Volkswagen

Industry Automotive Founded 28 May 1937

Founder(s) Ferdinand Porsche Headquarters Wolfsburg, Germany

Area served Worldwide : Chairman of the Board of Management, Key people Ferdinand Piëch: Chairman of Volkswagen Supervisory Board Products Cars Production 4,591,851 units (2010) output €80.251 billion (2010) Revenue (US$119 billion USD) Employees 368,500 (2009)

Parent Volkswagen Group

Website www.volkswagen.com

Volkswagen (abbreviated VW) is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, , Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.[1]

Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is pronounced [ˈfɔlksˌvaːɡən]. Its current tagline or slogan is Das Auto (The Car).

Contents

[hide]

 1 History o 1.1 1937–1945: People's Car project becomes Kübelwagen o 1.2 1945: , Major , unclear future o 1.3 1945 to 1948: survival in Allied-occupied Germany o 1.4 1948 onwards: icon for the West German regeneration o 1.5 1961 to 1973: product line expansion o 1.6 1974: from Beetle to Golf/Rabbit o 1.7 1974 to 1990: entering the mainstream o 1.8 1991 to 1999: moving upmarket o 1.9 2000 to date: model range expansion  2 Operations o 2.1 Ownership o 2.2 Worldwide presence o 2.3 Work–life balance o 2.4 Relationship with Porsche, and the Volkswagen Law o 2.5 Museum  3 Current model range o 3.1 GTD models o 3.2 GTI models o 3.3 R models  4 Discontinued models  5 Clean Diesel  6 Neat ethanol vehicles  7 Flexible-fuel vehicles  8 Electric vehicles  9 All-electric vehicles  10 Hybrid electric vehicles  11 Environmental record  12 Motorsport o 12.1 Dakar races o 12.2 : around the world o 12.3 Motorsport gallery  13 See also  14 Notes and references  15 External links

[edit] History

For vehicle time line tables, see: Volkswagen (timeline),

[edit] 1937–1945: People's Car project becomes Kübelwagen

Model of Porsche Type 12 (Zündapp), Museum of Industrial Culture, Nurnberg

Volkswagen was originally founded in 1937 by the Nazi , the German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront).[2] In the early 1930s German auto industry was still largely composed of luxury models, and the average German rarely could afford anything more than a motorcycle. As a result only one German out of 50 owned a car. Seeking a potential new market, some car makers began independent "peoples' car" projects – Mercedes' 170H, Adler's AutoBahn, Steyr 55, 1,3L, among others.

The trend was not new, as Béla Barényi is credited with having conceived the basic design in the middle 1920s. developed the Standard Superior (going as far as advertising it as the "German Volkswagen").[3][broken citation] Also, in , the 's penned T77, a very popular car amongst the German elite, was becoming smaller and more affordable at each revision. In 1933, with many of the above projects still in development or early stages of production, got involved, demanding the production of a basic vehicle capable of transporting two adults and three children at 100 km/h (62 mph). The "People's Car" would be available to citizens of the Third Reich through a savings scheme at 990 Reichsmark (US$396 in 1930s dollars)--about the price of a small motorcycle (an average income being around 32RM a week).[4][5]

Despite heavy lobbying in favour of one of the existing projects, it soon became apparent that private industry could not turn out a car for only 990RM. Thus, Hitler chose to sponsor an all- new, state-owned factory. The famed Austrian engineer Ferdinand Porsche supervised design of the car, but Hitler himself took a hand in the planning.[4] Changes included better fuel efficiency, reliability, of use, and economically efficient repairs and parts. The intention was that ordinary Germans would buy the car by means of a savings scheme ("Fünf Mark die Woche musst du sparen, willst du im eigenen Wagen fahren" – "Five Marks a week you must put aside, If in your own car you want to ride"), which around 336,000 people eventually paid into. Prototypes of the car called the "KdF-Wagen" (German: Kraft durch Freude – "strength through joy"), appeared from 1936 onwards (the first cars had been produced in Stuttgart). The car already had its distinctive round shape and air-cooled, flat-four, rear-mounted engine. The VW car was just one of many KdF programs which included things such as tours and outings. The prefix Volks— ("People's") was not just applied to cars, but also to other products in Europe; the "Volksempfänger" radio receiver for instance. On 28 May 1937, the Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen mbH (sometimes abbreviated to Gezuvor[6]) was established by the Deutsche Arbeitsfront. It was later renamed "Volkswagenwerk GmbH" on 16 September 1938.[7]

VW Type 82E , the longstanding Auto Union chief designer, developed the car body of the prototype, which was recognizably the Beetle known today. It was one of the first to be evolved with the aid of a wind tunnel, in use in Germany since the early 1920s.

The building of the new factory started 26 May 1938 in the new town of KdF-Stadt, now called Wolfsburg, which had been purpose-built for the factory workers. This factory had only produced a handful of cars by the time war started in 1939. None was actually delivered to any holder of the completed saving stamp books, though one Type 1 Cabriolet was presented to Hitler on 20 April 1938 (his 49th birthday).

War meant production changed to military vehicles, the Type 82 Kübelwagen ("Bucket car") utility vehicle (VW's most common wartime model), and the amphibious Schwimmwagen which were used to equip the German forces. As was common with much of the production in during the war, slave labor was utilized in the Volkswagen plant. The company would admit in 1998 that it used 15,000 slaves during the war effort. German historians estimated the that 80% of Volkswagen's wartime workforce was slave labor.[citation needed] Many of the slaves were reported to have been supplied from the concentration camps upon request from plant managers. A lawsuit was filed in 1998 by survivors for restitution for the forced labor.[8] Volkswagen would set up a voluntary restitution fund.[9]

Volkswagen factory with one of its own power plants

[edit] 1945: British Army, Major Ivan Hirst, unclear future

The company owes its post-war existence largely to one man, British Army officer Major Ivan Hirst, REME. In April 1945, KdF-Stadt, and its heavily bombed factory were captured by the Americans, and subsequently handed over to the British, within whose occupation zone the town and factory fell. The factories were placed under the control of -born Hirst. At first, the plan was to use it for military vehicle maintenance. Since it had been used for military production, and had been in Hirst's words a "political animal" rather than a commercial enterprise—technically making it liable for destruction under the terms of the Potsdam Agreement—the equipment was in time intended to be salvaged as war reparations. Hirst painted one of the factory's cars green and demonstrated it to British Army headquarters. Short of light transport, in September 1945 the British Army was persuaded to place a vital order for 20,000. The first few hundred cars went to personnel from the occupying forces, and to the German Post Office. Some British Service personnel were allowed to take their VW Beetles back to the United Kingdom when they were demobilised, and one of the very first Beetles brought back in that way (UK registration number JLT 420) is still owned by Peter Colborne-Baber, the son of the original proprietor of the UK's first official Volkswagen Importer, Colborne Garages of Ripley, Surrey.[10]

By 1946 the factory was producing 1,000 cars a month, a remarkable feat considering it was still in disrepair. Owing to roof and window damage, rain stopped production and new vehicles were bartered for steel required for more production.

The car and its town changed their Second World War-era names to "Volkswagen" and "Wolfsburg" respectively, and production was increasing. It was still unclear what was to become of the factory. It was offered to representatives from the British, American and French motor industries. Famously, all rejected it. After an inspection of the plant, Sir William Rootes, head of the British Rootes Group, told Hirst the project would fail within two years, and that the car "is quite unattractive to the average motorcar buyer, is too ugly and too noisy … If you think you're going to build cars in this place, you're a bloody fool, young man".[citation needed] In an ironic twist of fate, Volkswagen would manufacture a locally built version of Rootes's Hillman Avenger in Argentina in the 1980s, long after Rootes had gone bankrupt at the hands of in 1978—the Beetle outliving the Avenger by over 30 years.

Ford representatives were equally critical: the car was "not worth a damn," according to Henry Ford II, the son of Edsel Ford, although he did reportedly at the possibility of taking over the VW factory, but dismissed the idea as soon as he looked up Wolfsburg on the map and found it to be too close for comfort to the East German border.[citation needed]

In France, Citroën started the 2CV on a similar marketing concept. Meanwhile, in Italy, the 500 "Topolino" was developed.

[edit] 1945 to 1948: survival in Allied-occupied Germany

In Occupied Germany, the Allies followed the Morgenthau Plan, to remove all German war potential, by complete or partial pastoralisation. As part of this, in the Industrial plans for Germany, the rules for which industry Germany was to be allowed to retain were set out. German car production was set at a maximum of 10% of the 1936 car production numbers.[11]

As mentioned above, the Volkswagen factory at Wolfsburg came under British control in 1945; it was to be dismantled and shipped to Britain. Thankfully for Volkswagen, no British car manufacturer was interested in the factory; "the vehicle does not meet the fundamental technical requirement of a motor-car … it is quite unattractive to the average buyer … To build the car commercially would be a completely uneconomic enterprise".[12] The factory survived by producing cars for the British Army instead. Allied dismantling policy changed in late 1946 to mid 1947, although heavy industry continued to be dismantled until 1951. In March 1947 Herbert Hoover helped change policy by stating: "There is the illusion that the New Germany left after the annexations can be reduced to a 'pastoral state'. It cannot be done unless we exterminate or move 25,000,000 people out of it".[13] Thanks to the protection of British Army Major Ivan Hirst, Volkswagen survived the perilous times, and became part of the German economic recovery.

[edit] 1948 onwards: icon for the West German regeneration

1949 Volkswagen "split rear window" Sedan

Volkswagen Cabriolet (1953)

Volkswagen Type 2 (T1)

An original 1300 Deluxe, circa 1966. From 1948, Volkswagen became a very important element, symbolically and economically, of West German regeneration. (1899–1968), a former senior manager at Opel who had overseen civilian and military vehicle production in the 1930s and 1940s, was recruited to run the factory in 1948. In 1949 Major Hirst left association with the company, as it had now been re-formed as a trust, controlled by the West German government, and the government of the State of . Apart from the introduction of the Volkswagen Type 2 commercial vehicle (van, pick-up and camper), and the VW Ghia sports car, Nordhoff pursued the one-model policy until shortly before his death in 1968.

Volkswagens were first exhibited and sold in the United States in 1949, but only sold two units in America that first year. On its entry to the U.S. market, the VW was briefly sold as a "Victory Wagon". Volkswagen of America was formed in April 1955 to standardise sales and service in the United States. Production of the Type 1 increased dramatically over the years, the total reaching one million in 1955.

Volkswagens in Canada – VW Canada ordered their first cars on 10 July 1952. (shipping order 143075) The order consisted of 12 vehicles, (3) model 11C, a black, green, and sandcolor (3) 11GS, a chestnut brown and two azure blue, (2) 24A-M51 in red, (1)21A in blue, (1) 23A in blue, (1) 22A beige color, and one Ambulance. Volkswagen Products were seen in Canada for the first time at the Canadian National Exhibition in August 1952 and were accepted enthusiastically. The first shipment of cars reached Toronto in December 1952. By 1955 sales were on a basis that warranted the building of the fine Volkswagen plant on a 32-acre (130,000 m2) site on Scarboro's Golden Mile. To this, a 60,000-square-foot (5,600 m2) building with administration, showrooms, service, repairs and parts, an addition of 60,000-square-foot (5,600 m2) was built in 1957, with storage for $4,000,000 of parts. (See 1959 Canadian Register of Commerce & Industry held in the Western Libraries at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.)

Sales soared—thanks in part to the famous advertising campaigns by New York advertising agency Doyle, Dane Bernbach. Led by art director Helmut Krone, and copywriters Julian Koenig and Bob Levinson, Volkswagen advertisements became as popular as the car, using crisp layouts and witty copy to lure the younger, sophisticated consumers with whom the car became associated. Even though it was almost universally known as the Beetle (or the Bug), it was never officially labelled as such by the manufacturer, instead referred to as the Type 1. The first reference to the name Beetle occurred in U.S. advertising in 1968, but not until 1998 and the Golf-based New Beetle would the name be adopted by Volkswagen.[dubious – discuss]

Although the car was becoming outdated, during the 1960s and early 1970s, American exports, innovative advertising, and a growing reputation for reliability helped production figures surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T. On 17 February 1972 the 15,007,034th Beetle was sold. Volkswagen could now claim the world production record for the most-produced, single make of car in history. By 1973, total production was over 16 million.

To commemorate its passing the Ford Model T's record sales mark and its victories in the Baja 1000 Mexican races from 1967 to 1971, Volkswagen produced its first limited-edition Beetle. It was marketed as the "Baja Champion SE"[14] in the United States and the "Marathon" Superbeetle in the rest of the world. It featured unique "Marathon Blau" metallic blue paint, steel-pressed 10-spoke 15-inch (38 cm) magnesium-alloy wheels, a commemorative metal plate mounted on the glovebox and a certificate of authenticity presented to the original purchaser. Dealer-installed options for this limited-edition Superbeetle included the following: white stripes running the length of the rocker-panel, a special shifter knob, overriders, tapered exhaust tips, fake walnut inserts in the dashboard (behind the steering wheel and the glovebox cover) as well as Bosch fog lights mounted on the front bumper.

[edit] 1961 to 1973: product line expansion

An original and unmodified 1963 VW Type 3 .

VW expanded its product line in 1961 with the introduction of four Type 3 models (Karmann Ghia, Notchback, Squareback) based on the new Type 3 mechanical underpinnings, and again in 1969 with the larger Type 4 (411 and 412) models. These differed substantially from previous vehicles, with the notable introduction of /unibody construction, the option of a fully automatic transmission, electronic fuel injection, and a sturdier powerplant. Volkswagen added a "Super Beetle"[15] (the Type 113) to its lineup in 1971. The Type 113 differed from the standard Beetle in its use of a MacPherson strut front suspension instead of the usual torsion bars. Also the nose of the car was stretched 2 inches (51 mm) to allow the spare to lie flat, and the combination of these two features significantly increased the usable front luggage space. Despite the Super Beetle's (marketed outside North America as the VW 1302, later 1303) popularity with Volkswagen customers, purists preferred the standard Beetle with its less pronounced nose and its original . In 1973, Volkswagen introduced the military-themed Type 181, or "Trekker" in Europe, "Thing" in America, recalling the wartime Type 82. The military version was produced for the NATO-era German Army during the Cold War years of 1970 to 1979. The US Thing version only sold for two years, 1973 and 1974, thanks at least in part to Ralph Nader's automobile safety campaigns.

Volkswagen Type 4 assembly line in Wolfsburg as of 1973

In 1964, Volkswagen succeeded in purchasing Auto Union, and in 1969, NSU Motorenwerke AG (NSU). The former company owned the historic Audi brand, which had disappeared after the Second World War. VW ultimately merged Auto Union and NSU to create the modern day Audi company, and would go on to develop it as its luxury vehicle marque. However, the purchase of Auto Union and NSU proved to be a pivotal point in Volkswagen's history, as both companies yielded the technological expertise that proved necessary for VW to survive when demand for its air-cooled models went into terminal decline as the 1970s dawned.

[edit] 1974: from Beetle to Golf/Rabbit

Volkswagen Passat (1973–1977 model)

Volkswagen was in serious trouble by 1973.[16] The Type 3 and Type 4 models had sold in much smaller numbers than the Beetle and the NSU-based K70 also failed to woo buyers. Beetle sales had started to decline rapidly in European and North American markets. The company knew that Beetle production had to end one day, but the conundrum of replacing it had been a never-ending nightmare. VW's ownership of Audi / Auto Union proved to be the key to the solution – with its expertise in front-wheel drive, and water-cooled engines which Volkswagen so desperately needed to produce a credible Beetle successor. Audi influences paved the way for this new generation of Volkswagens, known as the Passat, Scirocco, Golf and Polo.

First in the series was the Volkswagen Passat (Dasher in the U.S.), introduced in 1973, a version of the Audi 80, using many identical body and mechanical parts. Estate/wagon versions were available in many markets. In Europe, the estate/wagon version dominated in market share for many years.

In spring 1974, the Scirocco followed. The coupe was designed by . Based on the platform of the not yet released Golf, it was built at Karmann due to capacity constraints at Volkswagen.

The pivotal model emerged as the Volkswagen Golf in 1974, marketed in the United States and Canada as the Rabbit for the 1st generation (1975–1985) and 5th generation (2006–2009). Its angular styling was designed by the Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro). Its design followed trends for small family cars set by the 1959 Mini – the Golf had a transversely mounted, water-cooled engine in the front, driving the front wheels, and had a hatchback, a format that has dominated the market segment ever since. Beetle production at Wolfsburg ended upon the Golf's introduction. It continued in smaller numbers at other German factories (Hanover and Emden) until 1978, but mainstream production shifted to Brazil and Mexico.

In 1975, the Volkswagen Polo followed. It was a re-badged Audi 50, which was soon discontinued in 1978. The Polo became the base of the Volkswagen Derby, which was introduced 1977. The Derby was for all intents and purposes a three-box design of the Polo. After a second model generation, the Derby was discontinued in 1985.

Passat, Scirocco, Golf and Polo shared many character defining features, as well as parts and engines. They built the basis for Volkswagen's turn-around.

[edit] 1974 to 1990: entering the mainstream

Volkswagen Polo (1975–1979 model)

While Volkswagen's range of cars soon became similar to that of other large European automakers, the Golf has been the mainstay of the Volkswagen lineup since its introduction, and the mechanical basis for several other cars of the company. There have been six generations of the Volkswagen Golf, the first of which was produced from the summer of 1974 until the end of 1983 (sold as the Rabbit in the United States and Canada and as the Caribe in Latin America). Its chassis also spawned the sport coupe, Volkswagen saloon/sedan, Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet convertible, and pick-up. North American production of the Rabbit commenced at the Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly Plant near New Stanton, Pennsylvania in 1978. It would be produced in the United States as the Rabbit until the spring of 1984. The second-generation Golf hatchback/Jetta sedan ran from late 1983 to late 1991, and a North American version produced at Westmoreland Assembly went on sale at the start of the 1985 model year. The production numbers of the first-generation Golf has continued to grow annually in South Africa as the Citi Golf, with only minor modifications to the interior, engine and chassis, using tooling relocated from the New Stanton, Pennsylvania plant when that site began to build the Second Generation car.

In the 1980s, Volkswagen's sales in the United States and Canada fell dramatically, despite the success of models like the Golf elsewhere. The Japanese and the Americans were able to compete with similar products at lower prices. Sales in the United States were 293,595 in 1980, but by 1984 they were down to 177,709.[17] The introduction of the second-generation Golf, GTI and Jetta models helped Volkswagen briefly in North America. Motor Trend named the GTI its for 1985, and Volkswagen rose in the J.D. Power buyer satisfaction ratings to eighth place in 1985, up from 22nd a year earlier.[18] VW's American sales broke 200,000 in 1985 and 1986 before resuming the downward trend from earlier in the decade. Chairman decided to expand the company elsewhere (mostly in developing countries), and the New Stanton, Pennsylvania factory closed on 14 July 1988.[19] Meanwhile, four years after signing a cooperation agreement with the Spanish car maker SEAT in 1982, Hahn expanded the company by purchasing a majority share of SEAT up to 75% by the end of 1986, which VW bought outright in 1990.[20]

Volkswagen had entered the supermini market in 1975 with the Volkswagen Polo, a stylish and spacious three-door hatchback designed by Bertone. It was a strong seller in and most of the rest of Western Europe, being one of the first foreign small cars to prove popular in Britain. The second-generation model, launched in 1981 and sold as a hatchback and "coupe" (with the hatchback resembling a small estate car and the coupe being similar to a conventional hatchback), was an even greater success for Volkswagen. It was face-lifted in 1990 and was still selling well after 13 years, when it was replaced by the third-generation Polo in 1994.

[edit] 1991 to 1999: moving upmarket

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removed. (May 2010)

The 2000 Volkswagen Golf GL, in North American form

In 1991, Volkswagen launched the third-generation Golf, which was for 1992. The Golf Mk3 and Jetta arrived in North America just before the start of 1994 model year, first appearing in southern California in the late spring of 1993. The sedan version of the Golf was badged Vento in Europe, but remained Jetta in the U.S.

The late 1990s saw a gradual change in perception of the company's products – with Audi having elevated itself into same league[clarification needed] as BMW and Mercedes-Benz,[citation needed] Volkswagen moved upmarket to fill the void left by Audi; with SEAT and the further addition of the Czech car maker Škoda being acquired in the late 1990s, now occupying what was once VW's core market.

This move upmarket was continued with the Golf Mk4, introduced at the end of 1997 (and in North America in 1999), its chassis spawned a host of other cars within the Volkswagen Group—the (the sedan called Jetta in the U.S.), New Beetle, SEAT Toledo, SEAT León, Audi A3, Audi TT, and Škoda Octavia.

The other main models have been the Polo, a smaller car than the Golf, and the larger Passat for the segment above the Golf. The Scirocco and the later Corrado were both Golf-based coupés.

The Volkswagen New Beetle

In 1994, Volkswagen unveiled the -designed Concept One, a "retro"-themed concept car with a resemblance to the original Beetle, based on the platform of the Polo. Due to a positive response to the concept, a production version was developed as the New Beetle, based on the Golf's larger platform.[21]

Volkswagen's fortunes in North America improved once the third-generation Golf and Jetta models became available there. Marketing efforts included Trek bicycles with accompanying racks on the 1996 Jetta sedan. The introductions of the New Beetle and the fifth- generation Passat were a major boost to the brand.[citation needed]

In the UK, Volkswagen's market share grew throughout the 1990s. In 1990, the Golf was Britain's 12th most popular car with nearly 50,000 units sold.[citation needed] The Mk3 Polo achieved similar success in the mid 1990s, but in 1999 the Mk4 Golf was Volkswagen's first ever entrant in Britain's top 10 list of most popular new cars.[citation needed]

In the late 1990s Volkswagen, under CEO Ferdinand Piëch, acquired the three luxury brands Lamborghini (through Audi), Bentley, and Bugatti. Audi's plans for Lamborghini included a small supercar later to be named the Gallardo, and a new halo vehicle, the Murciélago, and later the Reventon limited edition halo car. In late 2008, a 4-door saloon for the Lamborghini brand was shown in the form of the Lamborghini Estoque concept. For Bentley, its future within the Volkswagen Group seemed bright as the launch of the Bentley Continental range helped Bentley post record-breaking sales of 10,000.

Bugatti, after Volkswagen purchased the rights to use the name, showed three concept cars, the Bugatti EB110 (coupé and saloon) and the Bugatti Chiron. Bugatti then launched the Veyron, with a top speed of 252 mph (406 km/h).

[edit] 2000 to date: model range expansion

2006 Volkswagen Phaeton

Volkswagen began introducing an array of new models after became Volkswagen Group CEO (responsible for all Group brands) in 2002. The sixth-generation VW Golf was launched in 2008, came runner-up to the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia in the 2009 European Car of the Year, and has spawned several cousins: VW Jetta, VW Scirocco, SEAT León, SEAT Toledo, Škoda Octavia and Audi A3 hatchback ranges, as well as a new mini-MPV, the SEAT Altea. The GTI, a "hot hatchback" performance version of the Golf, boasts a 2.0 L Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) direct injection engine. VW began marketing the Golf under the Rabbit name once again in the U.S. and Canada in June 2006. (The GTI had arrived to North America four months earlier). The fifth-generation Jetta, and the performance version, the GLI, are also available in the United States and Canada. The sixth-generation Passat and the fifth- generation Jetta both debuted in 2005, and VW has announced plans to expand its lineup further by bringing back the Scirocco by 2008. Other models in 's (Volkswagen brand CEO) "product offensive" include the Tiguan mid-sized SUV in 2008 and a Passat Coupé. In November 2006 Bernd Pischetsrieder announced his resignation as Volkswagen Group CEO, and was replaced by Audi worldwide CEO Martin Winterkorn at the beginning of 2007. Winterkorn is credited with making Audi a challenger to the dominance of BMW and Mercedes, and his design-led strategy has led to Audi being considered one of the most important brands in the world.[citation needed] Nevertheless, Volkswagen continues to have complicated relations with both unions and shareholders. The German state of Lower Saxony owns 20% of the stock.[22]

The B5.5 fifth-generation Passat facelift

In North America, VW faced many challenges. After rising significantly between 1998 and 2001, VW's North American sales began to fall sharply leading to a 2005 loss of roughly US$1 billion for its operations in the U.S. and Canada. Profitability has not been strong, and the lack of reliability of the company's cars appears to bear some of the responsibility for this situation. By 2005, its models sat near the bottom of Consumer Reports reliability ratings, and J.D. Power and Associates ranked VW 35th out of 37 brands in its initial quality survey. Attempts to enter a new market segment also compromised Volkswagen's standing in North America. In 2002, Volkswagen announced the debut of its Phaeton luxury car, which was critically acclaimed but not well received in the marketplace. VW announced its discontinuance in the U.S. market for the 2007 model year due to the disappointing sales.

The 2006 Jetta

Volkswagen in 2005, despite challenges, still maintained North American sales of 224,195—a dramatic increase from the low in 1993 when US sales totalled only 49,533 vehicles. Momentum continued for fiscal 2006, as VW's North American sales for the year were 235,140 vehicles, a 4.9 percent increase over 2005, despite a slump in domestic North American manufacturer's sales. In conjunction with the introduction of new models, production location of Volkswagen vehicles also underwent great change. The 2007 Eos, a convertible, is produced in a new facility in Portugal. All Golfs/Rabbits and GTIs as of 2006 are manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, rather than VW's Mexican factory in Puebla, where Golfs and GTIs for the North American market were produced from 1989 to 1998, and the Brazilian factory in Curitiba, where Golfs and GTIs were produced from 1999 to 2006. (The Jetta has primarily been made in Mexico since 1989). VW is also in the process of reconfiguring an automotive assembly plant in Belgium. The new models and investments in manufacturing improvements were noticed immediately by automotive critics. Favorable reviews for VW's newest cars include the GTI being named by Consumer Reports as the top sporty car under $25,000, one of Car and Driver magazine's "10 Best" for 2007, Automobile Magazine's 2007 Car of the Year, as well as a 2008 Motor Trend comparison ranking the mid-size Passat first in its class. The J. D. Power and Associates 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study scored Volkswagen fourteenth overall with strong performances by its new Jetta and Passat models.

The fifth-generation Golf, sold in North America as the Rabbit.

Volkswagen is recognised[by whom?] as one of the leading small diesel engine manufacturers, and is partnering with Mercedes and other companies to market BlueTec clean diesel technology. Volkswagen has offered a number of its vehicles with a TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) engine, which lends class-leading fuel economy to several models. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, four of the ten most fuel-efficient vehicles available for sale in the U.S. in 2004 were powered by Volkswagen diesel engines. They were a three-way tie for 8th (TDI Beetle, TDI Golf, TDI Jetta) and ninth, the TDI Jetta Wagon. As of 2007, VW has not yet offered a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain such as that in the Toyota Prius (though a diesel-electric hybrid 5th generation Jetta was produced as a test vehicle). In addition, all Volkswagen TDI diesel engines produced from 1996 to 2006 can be driven on 100% fuel. For the 2007 model year, however, strict U.S. government emissions regulations have forced VW to drop most diesels from their U.S. engine lineup, but a new lineup of diesel engines compatible to U.S. standards returned to the American market starting with Model Year 2009. These post-2009 Clean Diesel engines are limited to running on 5% (B5) biodiesel only to maintain Volkswagen's warranty.

The 2006 Eos hardtop convertible Volkswagen long resisted adding a utility vehicle to its lineup, but it finally relented with the introduction of the Touareg in the early 2000s, sharing major components with the and Audi Q7 sport utility vehicles. Though acclaimed as a fine handling vehicle, the Touareg has been a modest seller at best. Some automotive analysts blame the Touareg's absence of a third-row seat, the relatively poor fuel economy, and the high vehicle mass. VW plans to add a compact SUV with styling influences from its "Concept A" concept vehicle. On 20 July 2006, VW announced that the new vehicle would be called the Tiguan. Since the discontinuance of the T4 in 2003 and decision not to bring the T5 to the US market, it was ironic that Volkswagen lacked a van in its North American lineup considering that VW was a major player in the development of the class with its original Transporter. The firm did however launch a rebadged DaimlerChrysler named the for the U.S. and Canadian markets in 2008. Owing to technical difficulty adapting the Polo to meet North American vehicle regulations, VW presented in 2006 the "Iroc" as a concept of the proposed 2009 Scirocco as a potential new small model.

In September 2006, Volkswagen began offering the City Golf and City Jetta only for the Canadian market. Both models were originally the Mk4 Golf and Jetta but were later replaced with the Brazilian versions of the Golf Mk4 and Bora. The City Golf and City Jetta were introduced to compete with the and Fit. Volkswagen's introduction of such models is seen as a test of the market for a subcompact and, if successful, may be the beginnings of a thriving subcompact market for Volkswagen.

When Martin Winterkorn became the eighth postwar CEO of Volkswagen, the company made several personnel changes in Wolfsburg.[which?] Though the VW Group already had their presence in India with Škoda Auto, Volkswagen introduced the Passat and Touareg with TDI engine to India's automobile market in September 2007.

The VW 1L will be available in 2010, in limited numbers.[citation needed] The 1L is a lightweight two-person vehicle made out of a magnesium frame covered by an unpainted carbon-fiber skin. Every component of the vehicle is intended to reduce the vehicle's weight. Aluminum brakes, carbon-fiber wheels, titanium hubs, and ceramic bearings all contribute to the vehicle's light weight of a mere 290 kg.[citation needed] To reduce the weight even further, and to increase the aerodynamics of the vehicle, there are no rearview mirrors. Instead, the car is equipped with cameras that display visual information to the driver through the internal LCD screen. The car is extremely fuel-efficient, each gallon of fuel will take you over 235 miles (378 km). The fuel holds just 1.7 gallons[clarification needed], making the entire travel distance capability about 400 miles (640 km) per tank. Its top speed is 120 km/h (75 mph), which although not very fast is a welcome tradeoff for the huge savings in fuel consumption.[citation needed]

In May 2011 Volkswagen inaugurated the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant. The plant will produce cars specifically designed for North America beginning with the New Midsize Sedan, which will be compete with North American market leaders and Honda Accord. Production is scheduled to begin in early 2011 and is expected to end more than five years of losses in the world's largest auto market.[23] In 9 December 2009, Volkswagen AG and reached a common understanding to establish a close long-term strategic partnership. Volkswagen will purchase 19.9% of Suzuki‘s issued shares.[24] [edit] Operations

Volkswagen has become a large international corporation from where it started and expanded to different worldwide markets and countries. The world headquarters of Volkswagen are located in its home country in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen AG, owned by the Volkswagen Group, is situated with other car manufacturers including Audi, SEAT, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Scania, and Skoda. Volkswagen is currently Europe's largest automaker. For a long time, Volkswagen has had a market share over 20 percent.[25] Worldwide, Volkswagen officially ranks as the 3rd largest manufacturer behind Toyota and GM as measured by OICA in 2009.[26] In 2010, Volkswagen, posted record sales of 6.29 million vehicles, with its global market share at 11.4%.[27] Volkswagens core markets include Germany and China.[28] After overtaking Ford in 2008, Volkswagen became the third largest automaker in the world.[29] Volkswagen has aimed to double its US market share from 2% to 4% for the year 2014,[30] and is aiming to become, sustainably, the world's largest car maker by 2018.[31]

[edit] Ownership

Volkswagen is a publicly traded company, which issued ordinary shares and preferred shares. The ownership structure is complex. The following table shows the current shareholder structure. Note that neither the Porsche Automobil Holding nor the Porsche GmbH are identical with the Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, which is responsible for the production of Porsche sports cars. The Porsche Automobil Holding is owned by the Porsche family, the Emirate of Qatar, 49.9% are owned by the Volkswagen AG. The Porsche GmbH was sold to the Volkswagen AG.[32]

Shares Held by 50.76% as of 30 Jan 2009 Porsche Automobil Holding 2.37% as of 30 Jan 2009 GmbH 20.26% as of 16 Feb 2008 State of Lower Saxony 17% as of 18. Dec 2009 Emirate of Qatar 9.61% Widely held

[edit] Worldwide presence

Volkswagen has factories in many parts of the world, manufacturing or assembling vehicles for local markets. Volkswagen has manufacturing or assembly plants in Germany, Slovakia, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and South Africa. Volkswagen also has a new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. In 2011, Volkswagen was named in the top 25 largest companies in the world by the Forbes Global 2000.[33][34] [edit] Work–life balance

Volkswagen agreed in December 2011 to implement a rule passed by the company's works council aimed at improving work–life balance by restricting company email functionality on the firm's BlackBerry smartphones from 6:30 pm to 7:30 am. The change was a response to employees' complaints about high stress levels at work and the expectation that employees would immediately answer after-hours email from home. About 1,150 of Volkswagen's more than 190,000 employees are affected by the email restriction.[35][36]

[edit] Relationship with Porsche, and the Volkswagen Law

Volkswagen has always had a close relationship with Porsche, the Zuffenhausen-based sports car manufacturer founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, the original Volkswagen designer and Volkswagen company founder. The first Porsche car, the Porsche 64 of 1938, used many components from the Volkswagen Beetle. The 1948 continued using many Volkswagen components, including a tuned engine, gearbox and suspension.

The two companies continued their collaboration in 1969 to make the VW- and 914- 6, whereby the 914-6 had a 6-cylinder Porsche engine, and the standard 914 had a 4-cylinder Volkswagen engine, and in 1976 with the Porsche 912E (USA only), and the , which used many Audi components and was built at an Audi Neckarsulm factory. Most 944s also were built there, although they used far fewer VW components.

The Porsche Cayenne, introduced in 2002, shares its entire chassis with VW Touareg and Audi Q7, which are built at the Volkswagen factory in Bratislava.

In September 2005, Porsche announced it would increase its 5% stake in Volkswagen to 20% at a cost of €3 billion, with the intention that the combined stakes of Porsche and the government of Lower Saxony would ensure that any hostile takeover by foreign investors would be impossible.[37] Speculated suitors included DaimlerChrysler, BMW, and . In July 2006, Porsche increased their ownership again to 25.1%.

On 13 February 2007, Advocate General Dámaso Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer ruled that a German law preventing any shareholder in Volkswagen from executing more than 20% of the total voting rights in the firm was illegally restricting the flow of capital in Europe.[38] This again opened the possibility of a hostile takeover of VW and so on 26 March of the same year Porsche took its holding of Volkswagen shares to 30.9%. Porsche formally announced in a press statement that it did not intend to take over Volkswagen, but intended the move to avoid a competitor taking a large stake and to stop hedge funds from dismantling VW.[39] As expected, on 22 October 2007, the European Court of Justice ruled in agreement with Ruiz-Jarabo and the law was struck down.[40] On 26 October 2008, Porsche finally revealed its plan to assume control of VW. As of that day, it held 42.6% of Volkswagen's ordinary shares and stock options on another 31.5%. Combined with the state of Lower Saxony's 20.1% stake, this left only 5.8% of shares on the market most of which were held by index funds who could not legally sell.[41] Hedge funds desperate to cover their short positions forced Volkswagen stock above one thousand euros per share, briefly making it the world's largest company by market capitalisation on 28 October 2008.[42] By January 2009, Porsche had a 50.76% holding in Volkswagen AG, although the "Volkswagen Law" prevented it from taking control of the company.[43]

On 6 May 2009, the two companies decided to join together, in a merger.

On 13 August, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft's Supervisory Board signed the agreement to create an integrated automotive group with Porsche led by Volkswagen. The initial decision was for Volkswagen to take a 42.0% stake in Porsche AG by the end of 2009, and it would also see the family shareholders selling the automobile trading business of Porsche Holding Salzburg to Volkswagen.[44] In October 2009 however, Volkswagen announced that its percentage in Porsche would be 49.9% for a cost of €3.9 billion (the 42.0% deal would have cost €3.3 billion).[45] On 1 March 2011, Volkswagen has finalized the purchase of Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) a lucrative automobile distributor, for €3.3 billion ($4.55 billion).[46]

[edit] Museum

Since 1985, Volkswagen AG has run the Volkswagen AutoMuseum in Wolfsburg, a museum dedicated specifically to the history of Volkswagen.[47] In addition to visiting exhibits in person, owners of vintage Volkswagens anywhere in the world may order what the museum refers to as a "Birth Certificate" for a set fee of €50 -- this formal "Zertifikat" indicates basic information known at the time of manufacture (colors, options, port of destination, etc.).[48] [edit] Current model range

 Hatchback

Fox City car

 Hatchback

Up! City car

 Hatchback  Saloon/Sedan

Polo Supermini  Coupé

 Estate/Wagon

 Hatchback  Estate/Wagon

Golf Small family car  Cabriolet/Convertible

 MPV

Golf Plus Compact MPV

 Saloon/Sedan

Jetta Small family car

 Saloon/Sedan

Passat Large family car  Estate/Wagon

 Coupé

Passat CC Large family car

 Coupé

Scirocco Compact sports car

 SUV

Tiguan Compact crossover SUV

 Convertible

Eos Compact sports car

 MPV

Touran Compact MPV

 MPV

Sharan Compact MPV

 SUV

Touareg Mid-size luxury crossover SUV

 Saloon/Sedan

Phaeton Full-size luxury car

[edit] GTD models

 Hatchback

Golf GTD Small family car

[edit] GTI models

 Hatchback

Polo GTI Supermini

 Hatchback

Golf GTI Small family car

[edit] R models

 Hatchback

Golf R Sports car

 Coupé

Scirocco R Sports car

[edit] Discontinued models

Beetle 1938–2003

Kübelwagen 1940–1945

Schwimmwagen 1942–1944

Karmann Ghia 1955–1974

1500/1600 1961–1973

181 1969–1983

Country Buggy 1967–1969

411 1968–1972

412 1972–1974

K70 1970–1974

Derby 1977–1981

Corrado 1988–1995

Lupo 1998–2004

[edit] Clean Diesel

A BlueMotion Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen has been selling low sulphur diesel-powered engines for the European market since 2003.[49] VW developed Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) technology for diesel engines, and it offers a wide array of TDI powertrains. As modern diesel fuel economy is 30 percent higher than gasoline engines, a proportional reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is achieved with clean diesel technology.[50] Volkswagen is also developing hybrid technology for diesel- electric.[50] A VW Golf turbo-diesel hybrid concept car was exhibited at the 2008 , which has a fuel economy of 70 mpg (3.3 litres per 100 km).[51]

Volkswagen of America Inc. promotes its work in developing "clean diesel", and other fuel- efficient technologies, to increase U.S. sales to environmentally conscious consumers. One of the vehicles being promoted is the 2009 clean-diesel Jetta TDI, which has a 16-valve, four-cylinder common rail direct injection engine which reduces emissions by 90 percent. Volkswagen also claims that this model has the advantage of fuel economy in the mid-50s and mid-40s in city conditions. Stefan Jacoby, CEO of America's Volkswagen, said that it will be released in a sedan and sport-wagon model in May 2008 in California, becoming the first 50-state clean diesel offering.[52] [edit] Neat ethanol vehicles

VW neat ethanol prototype car developed by in 1978. Volkswagen do Brasil produced and sold neat ethanol vehicles (E100 only) in Brazil, and production was discontinued only after they were substituted by the more modern technology of flexible-fuel vehicles. As a response to the 1973 oil crisis, the Brazilian government began promoting bioethanol as a fuel, and the National Alcohol Program -Pró-Álcool- (Portuguese: Programa Nacional do Álcool) was launched in 1975.[53][54][55] Compelled by the second oil crisis, and after development and testing with government fleets by the Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology (CTA) (CTA) at São José dos Campos, and further testing of several prototypes developed by the four local carmakers, including Volkswagen do Brasil, neat ethanol vehicles were launched in the Brazilian market beginning in that year.[53][54] Gasoline engines were modified to support hydrous ethanol characteristics and changes included compression ratio, amount of fuel injected, replacement of materials that would get corroded by the contact with ethanol, use of colder spark plugs suitable for dissipating due to higher flame temperatures, and an auxiliary cold-start system that injects gasoline from a small tank in the engine compartment to help starting when cold. Six years later around three quarters of Brazilian passenger cars were manufactured with ethanol engines.[53][56]

Production and sales of neat ethanol vehicles tumbled beginning in 1987 owing to several factors, including a sharp decline in gasoline prices as a result of the 1980s oil glut, and high sugar prices in the world market, shifting sugarcane ethanol production from fuel to sugar. By mid 1989 a shortage of supply in the local market left thousands of vehicles in line at gas stations or out of fuel in their garages, forcing consumers to abandon ethanol vehicles.[55][57] [edit] Flexible-fuel vehicles

The 2003 VW Gol 1.6 Total Flex was the first full flexible-fuel vehicle launched in Brazil, capable of running on any blend of gasoline and ethanol (E100).

In March 2003, on its fiftieth anniversary, Volkswagen do Brasil launched in the local market the Gol 1.6 Total Flex, the first Brazilian commercial flexible fuel vehicle capable of running on any mix of E20-E25 gasoline and up to 100% hydrous ethanol fuel (E100).[58][59][60][61] After the neat ethanol fiasco, consumer confidence on ethanol-powered vehicles was restored, allowing a rapid adoption of the flex technology, which was facilitated by the fuel distribution infrastructure already in place throughout Brazil, with more than 30 thousand fueling stations, a heritage of the Pró-Álcool program,[62][63] Owing to the success and rapid consumer acceptance of the flex versions, by 2005 VW had sold 293,523 flex cars and light-duty trucks, and only 53,074 gasoline-powered automobiles,[64] jumping to 525,838 flex-fuel vehicles while selling only 13,572 cars and 248 light trucks powered by gasoline in 2007,[65] and reaching new car sales of 564,959 flex fuels in 2008, representing 96 percent of all cars and light-duty trucks sold in that year.[66] VW do Brasil stopped manufacturing gasoline-only vehicles models for the local market in 2006,[59] and remaining gasoline-engine sales comes from imports. The flex fuel models produced for the local market are Gol, Fox, CrossFox, Parati, Polo Hatch, Polo Sedan, Saveiro, Golf, and Kombi.[67] By March 2009 Volkswagen do Brasil had attained the milestone mark of two million flexible-fuel vehicles produced since 2003.[68][69] [edit] Electric vehicles

Volkswagen announced it has hired Karl-Thomas Neumann as its group chief officer for electric traction.[70] VW's Chief of research, Dr. Jürgen Leohold, said the company has concluded hydrogen fuel-cell cars are not a viable option.[71][72] [edit] All-electric vehicles

Main articles: Electric car and E-Up!

All-electric Volkswagen E-Up! Zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV).

The two-door E-Up! electric car concept was debuted at the 63rd Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009.[73] The 3.19 metres (10 ft 6 in) long all-electric E-Up! is anticipated for production start in 2013, and uses a 3+1 seating configuration.[73] It uses a 60 kilowatts (82 PS; 80 bhp) all- integrated drive electric motor, (continuously rated at 40 kilowatts (54 PS; 54 bhp)) mounted at the front and driving the front wheels.[73] [edit] Hybrid electric vehicles

Volkswagen and Sanyo have teamed up to develop a battery system for hybrid electric vehicles.[74] Volkswagen head Martin Winterkorn has confirmed the company plans to build compact hybrid electric vehicles. He has stated "There will definitely be compact hybrid models, such as Polo and Golf, and without any great delay", with gasoline and diesel engines. For example, Golf is the ideal model to go hybrid as the Golf 1.4 TSI was recently awarded the ―Auto Environment Certificate‖ by the Oko-Trend Institute for Environmental Research, and was considered as one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles of 2007.[75] Also underway at Volkswagen's Braunschweig R&D facilities in Northern Germany is a hybrid version of the next-generation Touareg.[76]

VW intends all future models to have the hybrid option. ―Future VW models will fundamentally also be constructed with hybrid concepts,‖ VW head of development Ulrich Hackenberg told Automobilwoche in an interview. Hackenberg mentioned that the car based on the Up! concept seen at Frankfurt Motor Show,[77] as well as all future models, could be offered with either full or partial hybrid options. The rear-engine up! will go into production in 2011. Nothing has been said about plug-in hybrid options.[78]

Volkswagen announced at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show the launch of the 2012 Touareg Hybrid, scheduled for 2011.[79][80] VW also announced plans to introduce diesel-electric hybrid versions of its most popular models in 2012, beginning with the new Jetta, followed by the Golf Hybrid in 2013 together with hybrid versions of the Passat.[81][82] [edit] Environmental record

Volkswagen first implemented its seven environmental goals in Technical Development in 1996. The plan contains themes involving climate protection, resource conservation, and healthcare, through objectives such as reducing greenhouse emissions and fuel consumption, enabling the use of alternative fuels, and avoiding the use of hazardous materials.[83] The original 1996 goals have since been revised in 2002 and 2007. Volkswagen was the first car manufacturer to apply ISO 14000, during its drafting stage and was re-certified under the standards in September 2005.[83] [edit] Motorsport

 In 1963, circuit racing, with cars built from easily available Beetle parts, started in the United States. It quickly spread to Europe and other parts of the world. It proved very popular as a low-cost route into .[84]  In 1971, Volkswagen of America started the more powerful , which became famous for hothousing new talent. In the 11 years it ran, until 1982, it produced a stable of world-famous Formula One drivers—names like Niki Lauda, Jochen Mass, , Jochen Rindt and . Volkswagen also notched up several victories, and the championship in Formula Three.  In 1976, Volkswagen entered the under-2000-cc Trans-Am Series, with the Scirocco, and they won their class outright.[85]  In 1981, now based in Hanover, and renamed Volkswagen Motorsport, VW took a new direction into rallying, with the launch of the first-generation Golf, and Sweden's Per Eklund, Frenchman Jean-Luc Thérier, and the Finn Pentti Airikkala. The final chapters in Volkswagen Racing UK's rallying story were the 'one-make' Polo Challenge, and the Polo GTI '' in 2001.  In 2000, Volkswagen started a one-make racing cup with the newly released to Europe New Beetle called the ADAC New Beetle Cup. Beside that, the ADAC Volkswagen Lupo Cup, founded in 1998, is continued to support young talents on the way to the top.  In 2001, the department was renamed Volkswagen Racing, and since then has concentrated all its efforts on developing its circuit racing championship, the Volkswagen Racing Cup.  In 2003, VW replaced the ADAC Volkswagen Lupo Cup with the newly released Polo, to become the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup.  In 2004, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles entered the European Truck Racing series with the Volkswagen Titan series truck – it became back-to-back champions for the 2004 and 2005 series.  In 2011 Volkswagen Motorsport entered two Skoda Fabia S2000s into the World Rally Championship for round 8 in Finland. The drivers were and Joonas Lindroos.  In 2018, Volkswagen is considering a move in to Formula One according to VW's head of motorsport.

[edit] Dakar races

 In 1980, Volkswagen competed in the Paris-Dakar Rally with the Audi developed Iltis, placing 1st, 2nd, 4th and 9th overall.  Volkswagen enlists Dakar Champion , the first woman to win the Dakar rally in 2001, to help design and compete a Dakar Racer.  In 2003, the Hanover based team starts with a 2WD buggy named Tarek. It placed 6th outright but took 1st in the 2WD and Diesel class.  In 2004, VW enters the newly developed Race-Touareg T2, finishing 6th overall and 2nd in the Diesel class.  In 2005, an updated Race-Touareg with slightly more power is entered, with driver , finishing in 3rd overall and 1st in the Diesel class.  In 2006, Volkswagen released the most powerful Race-Touareg yet: the Race-Touareg 2. Five vehicles entered, with driver finishing in 2nd place overall, and 1st in the Diesel class.  In 2009, Volkswagen won the held in Argentina and . Race Touareg 2 finished 1st and 2nd.  In 2010, Volkswagen won the 2010 Dakar Rally held in Argentina and Chile. Race Touareg 2 defends 2009 victory with first three places.  In 2011, Volkswagen won the held in Argentina and Chile. Race Touareg 3 defends 2010 victory with first three places.

[edit] Volkswagen motorsport: around the world

Below are official, or dealership-sponsored Volkswagen Racing activities, outside Germany:

 China rally participation: Shanghai-VW Santana, Shanghai-VW Polo, FAW-VW Jetta, and Shanghai-VW supported the 1st Shanghai F1 Grand Prix, with a Polo Cup support series.  South Africa rally participation: VW Polo, SEAT Ibiza based Polo Playa, VW Citi and VW Golf. Circuit participation: SEAT Ibiza based Polo Derby/Classic, A3 engined series which supports the A1 Racing series, and the GTI-engined F3 style racing series.  France: A French Volkswagen team entered the 2000 and 2001 Le Mans Series, with their 2.0 Turbo racer, which produced around 356 kW/485 hp.  Argentina: Many Volkswagen models have competed in TC 2000, including the 1980 to 1983 champion Volkswagen 1500 and the 1994 champion .  Brazil rally participation: Gol and Voyage, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles heavy trucks. Circuit participation: Brasilia, Karmann Ghia, and Gol, Voyage. The Bora used nowadays in is actually a plastic body around a tubular chassis with V8 engine.  Peru: VW Peru Rally the Fox in the S1600 class.  Japan circuit participation: Golf, Lupo and Polo Cup's.  Poland circuit participation: Golf with TDI Cup.  United Kingdom circuit participation: Lupo, Polo, Golf, Jetta (Vento/Bora), Scirocco, Corrado, Beetle, Type 3, and Caddy. Rally entries: Beetle, Type 3, Polo and Golf. VW Racing UK now have their own cup; they also have had Rallyed a Polo 1600 class and Golf TDI.  In 1999 and 2000, VW won the F2 Australian Rally Championship with the Golf GTI. In 2001 and 2002, VW raced the New Beetle RSI in the GT Performance series. In 2003, VW Australia was the first to race and develop the R32 Golf in the 2004 GT Performance series, and came 2nd overall.  Finland: In 2002, VW won the Finnish Rally Championship in a7/(F2), with a Golf Mk4 KitCar, with . In 1999 and 2000, VW won the Finnish Rally Championship in a7/(F2) with a Golf Mk3 KitCar. In 2000, 2001 and 2002, VW won the Finnish Racing Championship in Sport 2000 with a Golf Mk4.[86]  Austria: From 1967 until 1974, the Austrian sole distributor "Porsche Salzburg (Austria)" successfully entered the VW Beetle (1500, 1302S and 1303S) in Europe-wide rallies. Victories were achieved in 1972 and 1973 in the overall Austrian championship, on Elba, in the (first in class). The last versions used the 1600 cc engine with 125 hp (93 kW) and a 5-speed Porsche 914 transmission. Top drivers were Tony Fall (GB), Achim Warmbold (D), Günter Janger (A), Harry Källström(S).  United States: Beginning in 2008 Volkswagen introduced the Jetta TDI Cup. The Jetta TDI Cup is a SCCA sanctioned race series that features 25 drivers between the ages of 16 and 26 driving slightly modified 2009 Jetta TDIs. The series features 10 events at 8 different road courses across North America. There is $50,000 prize money at stake over the course of the series in addition to the $100,000 prize awarded to the champion of the series at the conclusion of the last race.[87]  In July 2011 Wolfgang Dürheimer, the director of Bugatti and Bentley, told German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport that ―if [the VW group] is at the forefront of the auto industry, I can imagine us competing in Formula 1 in 2018. We have enough brands to pull it off.‖[88]

[edit] Motorsport gallery 

1939 Berlin to Rome. Porsche Type 64 racer based on Beetle platform

Twin-engine racing Beetle developed by Wilson and Emerson Fittipaldi brothers

Bora in TC 2000, a national championship of Argentine

Bora in Stock Car Brasil

Edition 2007 Race Touareg 2 at Essen Motor Show 2006

Constellation in the 2006 Brazilian Fórmula Truck Championship [edit] See also

Germany portal

Cars portal

Companies portal

 Baron Klaus von Oertzen – "father" of Volkswagen in South Africa  Murat Günak Twike – hybrid vehicle developed by former VW employee  Standard Superior – a previous attempt to produce a "Volkswagen"  Volkswagen advertising history  VDub – tagline for the recent VWoA Golf GTI TV advertisement  List of German cars  Twin Drive   Cal Look  Punch buggy  Steyr 50  Volksrod  VW 276 Schlepperfahrzeug, military use 1944 [edit] Notes and references

1. ^ "Volkswagen Group – Brands and Products". 31 December 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2011. 2. ^ Manfred Grieger, Ulrike Gutzmann, Dirk Schlinkert, ed (2008). Volkswagen Chronicle. Historical Notes. 7. Volkswagen AG. ISBN 978-3-935112-11-6. Retrieved 21 December 2009. 3. ^ Miller, (13 September 2009). "Was Hitler's Beetle designed by a Jew? | Jewish Features | Jerusalem Post". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 7 October 2009. 4. ^ a b William Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (Touchstone Edition) (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990) 5. ^ Volkswagen Beetle History – 1938 to 2003 (abridged) archived from the original 6 Mar. 2008. 6. ^ Jun. 2009 "Seventy-Five Years Ago: Porsche Receives the Order to Construct the Volkswagen". porsche.com. Porsche AG. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2010. 7. ^ "Volkswagen Makes Automotive History". volkswagen.com. Retrieved 20 October 2008. 8. ^ "Volkswagen Faces Over Jewish Slave Labor". The New York Times. 13 June 1998. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 9. ^ "World: Americas German firms face slave labour case". BBC News. 1 September 1998. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 10. ^ "Volkswagen Model 11 Beetle". rememuseum.org.uk. 15 October 2006. Retrieved 20 October 2008. 11. ^ "Harry S. Truman – Library & Museum – Draft, The President's Economic Mission to Germany and Austria, Report 3, March, 1947; OF 950B: Economic Mission as to Food…; Truman Papers". Trumanlibrary.org. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 12. ^ Anders Ditlev Clausager (18 March 2000). Obituaries – Ivan Hirst The Guardian(UK). 13. ^ Reinert, Erik and Jomo K. S. The Marshall Plan at 60: The General's Successful War On Poverty UN Chronicle; United Nations Retrieved 31 May 2010. 14. ^ Colin Shinkin About the 1972 Baja Champion SE – USA (photos). SEBeetles.com. 15. ^ Dean, Wayne (28 October 2006). History of the Super Beetle superbeetles.com 16. ^ William Beaver (Nov–Dec, 1992). Volkswagen's American assembly plant: Fahrvergnugen was not enough – international marketing findarticles.com; Business Horizons. 17. ^ Flammang, James, Volkswagen: Beetles, Buses and Beyond, Krause Publications, 1996 18. ^ Kiley, David, Getting the Bugs Out: The Rise, Fall and Comeback of Volkswagen in America, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 19. ^ Holusha, John (21 November 1987). "Volkswagen to Shut U.S. Plant". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 20. ^ "A look at SEAT's time line 2008-1950". seat.com. SEAT S.A.. 21. ^ "The VW Experimental Vehicles – the 1980s to present pt 2". Wheelspin. London & Thames Valley VW Club. February 2003. Retrieved 12 July 2010. 22. ^ "Volkswagen Aktie – Profil – WKN 766400 – Finanzen100". Finanzen100.de. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2010. 23. ^ "VW picks Tenn. for its 1st US car plant since '88". The Boston Globe. 16 July 2008. 24. ^ "Volkswagen and Suzuki agreed to establish a comprehensive partnership". taume.com (Taume News). 9 December 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2009. 25. ^ "New Car Registrations By Manufacturer(PDF)". ACEA. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010. 26. ^ "World Ranking of manufacturers year 2009". OICA. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010. 27. ^ "Volkswagen Posts Record 2009 Sales, Targets Toyota". Bloomberg. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 28. ^ "Volkswagen Group reports 6.7 percent growth in worldwide deliveries in July". VW. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 29. ^ "VW OVERTAKES FORD AS 3RD-LARGEST AUTOMAKER". Left Lane News. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 30. ^ "VW aims to double U.S. market share". Freep. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 31. ^ Volkswagen will Autoimperium ausbauen. börsennews.de (in German). 15 September 2009. English translation. Retrieved 31 May 2010. 32. ^ "Porsche-VW-Fusion: Porsche und Piech verlieren Mehrheit an neuem Konzern – Finanz-News – FOCUS Online". Focus.de. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2010. 33. ^ "The World's Biggest Public Companies". Forbes. Retrieved 6 June 2011. 34. ^ "Volkswagen". Forbes. Retrieved 6 June 2011. 35. ^ Rzhevskiy, Ilya. "Volkswagen to Improve Work-Life Balance". The Epoch Times. Retrieved 2 January 2012. 36. ^ Rahn, Cornelius (December 23, 2011), Volkswagen Employees Wary of Burnout Win Reprieve From BlackBerry Messages, Bloomberg L.P. 37. ^ "Porsche wants 20% Volkswagen deal | 26 September 2005". BBC News. 26 September 2005. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 38. ^ "Top EU court finds against VW law". BBC News. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 39. ^ "Porsche triggers VW takeover bid". BBC News. 26 March 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 40. ^ Landler, Mark (2007-10-23). "New York Times | Court Strikes Down "Volkswagen Law"". Germany: Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-08-26. 41. ^ "Financial Times | Porsche plans to raise VW stake to 75%". Financial Times. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 42. ^ "VW vies for title of world's biggest company". Financial Times. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 43. ^ "Porsche takes majority VW stake". BBC News. 6 January 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2010. 44. ^ "Volkswagen to take a 42.0 percent stake in Porsche AG". Taume News. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2009. 45. ^ "VW to buy half of Porsche by 2010". BBC News. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009. 46. ^ "VW purchase Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS)". IndustryWeek. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011. 47. ^ ":: Volkswagen AutoMuseum :: About us". Automuseum.volkswagen.de. Retrieved 2011-08-26. 48. ^ ":: Volkswagen AutoMuseum :: Certificate Generator". Automuseum.volkswagen.de. Retrieved 2011-08-26. 49. ^ Colin Hefferon (2004). "New Diesels Deliver More Power With Clean Air". About.com cars. Retrieved 19 April 2009. 50. ^ a b Todd Kaho (1 October 2007). "Volkswagen Pushes for Development of Clean Diesels". Green Car Journal. Retrieved 19 April 2009. 51. ^ Michael Graham Richard (25 April 2008). "Volkswagen Golf Turbo-Diesel Hybrid Too Expensive for Production". Treehuger. Retrieved 19 April 2009. 52. ^ "VW revs up its clean-diesel technologies". 11 Oct. 2007, mlive.com 3 May 2008[dead link] 53. ^ a b c Milton Briquet Bastos (20 June 2007). "Brazil's Ethanol Program – An Insider's View". Energy Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2008. 54. ^ a b Revista Veja (13 June 1979). "O petróleo da cana" (in Portuguese). Editora Abril. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 55. ^ a b Marla Dickerson (17 June 2005). "Brazil's ethanol effort helping lead to oil self- sufficiency". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 56. ^ William Lemos (5 February 2007). "The Brazilian ethanol model". ICIS news. Retrieved 14 August 2008. 57. ^ Revista Veja (24 May 1989). "Um sonho corroído" (in Portuguese). Editora Abril. Retrieved 29 November 2008. 58. ^ Goettemoeller, Jeffrey; Adrian Goettemoeller (2007). Sustainable Ethanol: , Biorefineries, Cellulosic Biomass, Flex-Fuel Vehicles, and Sustainable Farming for Energy Independence. Prairie Oak Publishing, Maryville, Missouri. pp. 56–61. ISBN 978-0-9786293-0-4 59. ^ a b "Volkswagen to stop making gas-only cars for Brazil". Automotive News. 23 March 2006. Retrieved 18 October 2008.[dead link] 60. ^ "A Nova Volkswagen" (in Portuguese). Wolkswagen Brazil. Retrieved 18 October 2008.[dead link] 61. ^ "Volkswagen lança Golf Total Flex 1.6" (in Portuguese). ParanaOnline. 30 March 2006. Retrieved 18 October 2008. 62. ^ Henry Xavier Corseuil and Marcus Sal Molin Marins (1997). "Contaminação de Águas Subterrâneas por Derramamentos de Gasolina: O problema é grave?" (in Portuguese) (PDF). Amda.org. Retrieved 13 September 2008.[dead link] 63. ^ Roberta Scrivano (7 October 2008). "Margem estreita não intimida pequenas" (in Portuguese). Gazeta Mercantil. Retrieved 26 November 2008. 64. ^ "Tabela 08 – Vendas Atacado Mercado Interno por Tipo e Empresa – Combustível Flex Fuel – 2005" (in Portuguese) (PDF). ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brazil). Retrieved 16 April 2009. See Table 08 for flex-fuel sales and Table 07 for gasoline sales. 65. ^ "Tabela 08 – Vendas Atacado Mercado Interno por Tipo e Empresa – Combustível Flex Fuel – 2007" (in Portuguese) (PDF). ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brazil). Retrieved 16 April 2009. See Table 08 for flex-fuel sales and Table 07 for gasoline sales. 66. ^ "Tabela 08 – Vendas Atacado Mercado Interno por Tipo e Empresa – Combustível Flex Fuel – 2008" (in Portuguese) (PDF). ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brazil). Retrieved 16 April 2009. See Table 08. 67. ^ "VW completa 55 anos como maior montadora do País" (in Portuguese). Norpave VW. 25 March 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2009.[dead link] 68. ^ "VW: dois milhões de carros flex" (in Portuguese). Auto Brasil. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2009. 69. ^ "Volkswagen atinge 2 milhões de carros Flex produzidos no Brasil" (in Portuguese). Noticias Automotivas. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2009. 70. ^ "Volkswagen Hires New Chief – Automotive News & Car Rumors at Automobile Magazine". Rumors.automobilemag.com. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2009. 71. ^ "Audi's PHEV Concept; Volkswagen Research Chief Criticizes Fuel Cells". Calcars.org. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 72. ^ 6 November 2007 (6 November 2007). "Fuel cell cars won't save the world". Autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 73. ^ a b c "Volkswagen E-Up! concept". VWvortex.com. Volkswagen AG. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2009. 74. ^ "Volkswagen and Sanyo Team Up To Develop Hybrid Battery Systems". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 75. ^ ""Volkswagen Hybrid: Runaway Winner". Eco-Friendly Hybrid Cars, 2 May 2008". Green-hybrid-cars.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 76. ^ "Compact Hybrid Coming From Volkswagen". Edmunds.com. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 77. ^ "2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: !". Edmunds.com. 11 September 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 78. ^ "Report: All Volkswagen models to have hybrid option". eGMCarTech. 24 September 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 79. ^ Nick Kurczewski (5 March 2010). "Geneva Auto Show: 2011 VW Touareg and 2012 Touareg Hybrid". New York Times. Retrieved 26 March 2010. 80. ^ Scott Evans (March 2010). "First Drive: 2011 ". Motor Trend. Retrieved 26 March 2010. 81. ^ "VW to launch hybrid Jetta in 2012". Parker's. Retrieved 26 March 2010. 82. ^ Motor Authority (17 March 2010). "VW To Focus on Several Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Launches Including Golf, Jetta, Passat and More". All Cars Electric. Retrieved 26 March 2010. 83. ^ a b Volkswagen (12 Dec. 2010). "Volkswagen Environmental". Volkswagen. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 84. ^ "South African Formula Vee History". Formulaveesa.org.za. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 85. ^ "Scirocco Trans Am Article/Advert". Retrieved 27 September 2010. 86. ^ DTC (German) 87. ^ "Twenty two drivers qualify for 2010 TDI Cup final driver selection event". Vw.com. Retrieved 22 December 2009.[dead link] 88. ^ "Volkswagen in F1 by 2018?". European Car News. Retrieved 28 July 2011. [edit] External links

 Volkswagen.com Volkswagen Cars Worldwide portal  Volkswagen Classic (German)

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the corporation Calvin Klein Inc. For the designer who founded the company, see Calvin Klein (fashion designer). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and

removed. (November 2010) This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. (Consider using more specific cleanup instructions.) Please help improve this article if you can. The

talk page may contain suggestions. (March 2009) Calvin Klein Incorporated

Type Subsidiary Founded 1968

Founder(s) Calvin Klein Headquarters New York City, United States

Parent Phillips-Van Heusen

Website calvinklein.com

Calvin Klein Inc. is a fashion house founded by American fashion designer Calvin Klein. The company is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City[1] and currently owned by Phillips-Van Heusen. Like other fashion brands, Calvin Klein established a monogram: the "cK" emblem.[2]

Contents

[hide]

 1 Acquisition by Phillips van Heusen  2 Brands  3 Stores  4 Fragrances  5 Advertising  6 Internet  7 See also  8 References  9 External links

[edit] Acquisition by Phillips van Heusen

In mid-December 2002, Calvin Klein Inc. (CKI) was finally sold to shirt maker Phillips Van Heusen Corp (PVH),[3] whose then CEO Bruce Klatsky was the driving force behind the deal, for about $400 million in cash, $30 million in stock as well as licensing rights and royalties linked to revenues over the following 15 years that were estimated at $200 to $300 million. The sale also included an ongoing personal financial incentive for Klein based on future sales of the Calvin Klein brand.

PVH outbid VF Corp., the maker of Lee and Wrangler , which had also been interested in the jeans, underwear and swimwear business of CK that had been controlled by , maker of swimwear in the US, since 1997. The deal with PVH did not include these businesses, and they remained with Warnaco. Unable to pay debts from acquisitions and licensing agreements and due to bad publicity by a later dismissed lawsuit with Calvin Klein over selling license products to retailers other than agreed upon with Calvin Klein, Warnaco had filed for chapter 11 protection in mid-2001 but eventually emerged from bankruptcy in February 2003.[citation needed]

The transaction between Calvin Klein and PVH was financially supported by Apax Partners Inc., a New York private equity firm, which is said to have made a $250 million equity investment in PVH convertible preferred stock, as well as a $125 million, two-year secured note, all in exchange for seats on the board of PVH.[citation needed]

CKI thus became a wholly owned subsidiary of PVH. In the beginning, Klein himself, who was included as a person in the 15-year contract he had signed with PVH, remained creative head of the collections but then continued as an advisor (consulting creative director) to the new company from 2003 on and has since been more withdrawn from the business. Barry K. Schwartz was said to concentrate on his role as chairman of the New York Racing Association, a horse-racing club. The current President and COO of the CKI division within PVH is Tom Murry, who had filled this position already before the acquisition.

With the fall 2006 Collection runway presentations in New York City, CKI inaugurated an 8,600 sq ft (800 m2) show room space that can seat up to 600 people on the ground floor of 205 West 39th Street, in Times Square South where Calvin Klein has been headquartered since 1978. [edit] Brands

The most visible brand names in the Calvin Klein portfolio include:

 Calvin Klein Collection (black label, top-end designer line)  ck Calvin Klein (grey label, recently repositioned as bridge collection line; licensed to Warnaco Group, Inc. through at least 2044[4])  Calvin Klein (white label, better line)  Calvin Klein Sport (sports version of the white label line for Macy's)  Calvin Klein Jeans (denimwear line; licensed to Warnaco Group through at least 2044[4])  Calvin Klein Home (high end bedding, towel, bath rug and accessory collections)  The Khaki Collection (youthful medium to high end bedding, towel, bath rug and accessories) discontinued in 2008  Calvin Klein Golf (launched in late 2007)  Calvin Klein Underwear (underwear collections; licensed to Warnaco Group through at least 2044[4])  CK one Lifestyle brand (fragrance, underwear, jeans -launched 2011)[5]  Calvin Klein + Jewelry (watches launched in 1997, jewelry in 2004)

For more details on Current brands and licenses, see Warnaco Group#Current Licenses. [edit] Stores

 Calvin Klein Collection In the late 1990s the company opened elegant Calvin Klein Collection stores in Paris, Seoul, and Taipei and ultra high-end cK Calvin Klein stores in Hong Kong, Milan and Kuwait City. As of today, there is only one Calvin Klein Collection store operated by CKI. It is located in New York City. Out of the two Calvin Klein Collection stores that existed in the US, the Dallas location in Highland Park Village which had been open for 20 years was closed in mid-2005. The only international location, in Paris, was closed by PVH in March 2006. The New York store, which serves as the company's flagship store at 654 Madison Ave., remains open still today. Partners maintain Calvin Klein Collection stores in Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Dubai and Qatar.

 Calvin Klein (white label)

Specialty Calvin Klein stores, designed by New York architecture firm Lynch/Eisinger/Design have been opened at Lenox Square in Atlanta, Beverly Center in Los Angeles; now closed down, Cherry Creek Mall in Denver; now closed down, Natick Collection in Natick, MA; closing down on July 25, 2010, The Mall at Partridge Creek in Michigan; now closed down, Aventura Mall in Aventura, Florida, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa California. An additional eight stores also designed by Lynch/Eisinger/Design are set to open in 2008. There are also several Calvin Klein Outlet stores, mostly located within factory outlet malls in the US, that sell the white label sportswear and sometimes the Calvin Klein white label at reduced prices but do not carry the Collection lines. It has been reported that Calvin Klein will close all White Label locations within the next year.

 Calvin Klein Jeans

The Warnaco Group maintains Calvin Klein Jeans and corresponding outlet stores in the US and elsewhere, carrying the and casual collections. International Calvin Klein Jeans stores exist around the globe. Among many other countries in the UK, Germany, Greece, Russia, Brazil, México, Croatia, Egypt, Chile, Argentina, India, Australia and New Zealand.

Calvin Klein models

 Calvin Klein Underwear

Signature Calvin Klein Underwear boutiques can be found in , Cardiff (as of April 2011), , Edinburgh, Glasgow, Melbourne, Hong Kong, London, Manchester, New York City, Shanghai, Singapore, Frankfurt am Main, Toronto and Hatfield. There also have many type for calvin Klein Underwear:,taga,slip.this ck 36k 2010,ck world cup and so on.

 Department Stores

The major department stores in the US, including Macy's, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom, as well as many small independent stores carry the ck, white label and/or Jeans collections. Some high- end department stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus also carry Calvin Klein Collection. Notable retailers in the UK offering Calvin Klein include stores such as John Lewis, Debenhams and KJ Beckett. In Australia the dominant retailer is Myer. Calvin Klein products are also found online with particular internet focus on selling Calvin Klein underwear and fragrance.

 Europe and Asia

In Europe, Calvin Klein is predominantly known for its underwear, accessories and perhaps the Collection business, rather than for the medium-priced sportswear lines which are available at select high-end retail stores. In Asia, there are also signature ck Calvin Klein stores that carry diffusion line, aka grey label including womenswear, menswear, accessories. [edit] Fragrances

Calvin Klein is famous for the label's various lines of perfumes and colognes. Their perfumes and the corresponding fragrance lines used to be maintained by Calvin Klein Cosmetics Company (CKCC), a Unilever company, until recently when in May 2005 cosmetics giant Coty, Inc. of New York bought up the fragrance licensing agreements from Unilever.

[Year of launch.]

Calvin Klein Eternity for Men

Calvin Klein Euphoria for Men

 Calvin (men) [1981]  Obsession (men and women) [men 1986, women 1985]  Eternity (men and women) [men 1989, women 1988)  Escape (men and women) [men 1993, women 1991]  ck one (unisex) [1994, 'Red Hot' limited edition 2000, 'Graffiti' art limited edition 2003]  ck be (unisex) [1996]  Contradiction (women and men) [women 1997, men 1998]  Truth (men and women) [men 2002, women 2000]  Eternity Rose blush (women) 2002 LIMITED EDITION  Crave (men) [2003]  Eternity Purple Orchid (women) [2003] LIMITED EDITION  Eternity Moment (women) [2004]  ck one Summer [2004 yellow and green] [2005 yellow and orange] [2006 blue and green] [2007 red and green] [2008 clear blue] [2009 blue and yellow] [2010 orange and yellow] LIMITED EDITIONS  Obsession Night (men and women) [2005]  Euphoria (women) [2005] (men) [2006]  ck one Electric (unisex) [2006] LIMITED EDITION  ck one Scene (unisex) [2006] LIMITED EDITION  Eternity Summer (men and women)[2006] [2007] [2008] [2009] [2010] LIMITED EDITION  Calvin Klein Man [2007]  ck IN2U (men and women) [2007]  Euphoria Blossom (women)[2007]  Euphoria Intense (men) [2008]  CK Free (men) [2009]  Beauty (women) [2010]  ck one Shock (women) [2011]  ck one Shock (men) [2011] [edit] Advertising

The early ads were shot by Bruce Weber and Richard Avedon. Avedon photographed and directed the Calvin Klein Jeans campaign that featured a fifteen-year-old Brooke Shields. Some of those television commercials were banned, including the infamous ad where Brooke asks "Do you want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing!" Calvin Klein's advertising campaigns are frequently controversial, but prove this can be very successful, to the point of making a blitz career. One of his male underwear models, Mark Wahlberg, went on to fame as hip hop star "Marky Mark", launching himself into the Hollywood scene to become a current popular actor. Another Hollywood star owing his respectable career to the Calvin Klein advertisements is Antonio Sabato Jr.. In the early 1990s, Calvin Klein was also responsible for launching the international career of supermodel Kate Moss and offering her another opportunity to revive her career in 2002 after cocaine allegations. Other spokesmodels were Natalia Vodianova, Scott King and Toni Garrn, whose career were launched by Calvin Klein, too. Current spokesmodels of the brand are Jamie Dornan and Lara Stone. Other models who have visibly modeled for Calvin Klein include Jerry Hall, Patti Hansen, Tom Hintnaus, David Agbodji, , Mini Anden, Garrett Neff, Sean O'Pry, Edita Vilkeviciute, Andrew Stetson, and Vladimir Ivanov.[6] Actors such as Eva Mendes, Mehcad Brooks, Scarlett Johansson, Kellan Lutz, Andie MacDowell, Zoe Saldana and Diane Kruger have also been chosen to model for the brand.[6] Swedish footballer Freddie Ljungberg starred in a series of hugely successful underwear adverts for the brand.[7] They also use other young models representing them, like Jayli Alejandra Rodriguez, Kenia Ferro, Penelope Layevska, Laura Cristina Calderon and Isabela Parini.

They also play with emerging technologies. When advertising cKone perfume in 1999, they employed a very unusual and groundbreaking campaign that displayed e-mail addresses in print advertisements, targeted at teenagers. When these teens mailed these addresses, they would be placed on a mailing list that sent them mails with vague details about the models' lives, with fake details meant to make them more relatable. These mails came at unpredictable intervals, and were supposed to give readers the feeling that they had some connection with these characters. Though the mailing lists were discontinued in 2002, the campaign has inspired similar marketing tactics for movies and other retail products. [edit] Internet

In 2004 the company bought the domain name CK.com. Calvin Klein is one of the few corporations worldwide to own a two letter domain name.[8]

Calvin Klein Underwear also owns .com and Underwear.com. Both of the domain names are used to re-direct hits to CKU.com [edit] See also

New York City portal

Companies portal

 Sex in advertising

[edit] References

1. ^ "Corporate." Calvin Klein. Retrieved on January 26, 2010. 2. ^ http://www.pycomall.com/images/P/Calvin_Klein_logo.jpg 3. ^ Rozhon, Tracie (December 18, 2002). "Calvin Klein Selling His Company To Biggest Shirtmaker in the U.S.". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 4. ^ a b c "WARNACO GROUP INC /DE/ CIK#: 0000801351". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 5. ^ http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100927-ck-one-is-made-a-lifestyle-brand.aspx 6. ^ a b Calvin Klein. 7. ^ http://www.thesportsprcompany.com/whatwedo/GQ%20February%202005%20p34- 37.pdf 8. ^ CK.com on the VB.com Internet Hall of Fame List since 2003 (N°68) [edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Calvin Klein

 Calvin Klein Official site (www.calvinkleininc.com or www.ck.com)  Great CK Biography With Photos  Calvin Klein Preferred home page  Calvin Klein Underwear home page  Lynch / Eisinger / Design Website  a Calvin Klein Perfume and Cologne Website  Calvin Klein Jeans, ca. 1975-1985, in the Staten Island Historical Society Online Collections Database

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the company. For the song by Korn, see A.D.I.D.A.S.. This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. (Consider using more specific cleanup instructions.) Please help improve this article if you can. The

talk page may contain suggestions. (November 2010) Adidas AG

Type Aktiengesellschaft FWB: ADS, OTC Markets

Traded as Group: ADDYY Clothing and consumer goods Industry manufacture Founded 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (registered in 1949)[1]

Founder(s) Headquarters , Germany Area served Worldwide (CEO) Robin Stalker (CFO) Key people Erich Stamminger (CEO, Adidas Brand) Igor Landau (Chairman of the supervisory board) , sportswear, sports Products equipment, toiletries Revenue €11.99 billion (2010)[2] Operating €894 million (2010)[2] income [2]

Profit €567 million (2010) [2]

Total assets €10.62 billion (end 2010) [2]

Total equity €4.616 billion (end 2010) Employees 42,540 (end 2010)[2]

Website adidas-group.com

Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company (including ), and Rockport. Besides sports footwear, the company also produces other products such as bags, shirts, watches, eyewear, and other sports- and clothing-related goods.The company is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second-biggest sportswear manufacturer in the world, with American rival Nike being the biggest.[3]

Adidas was founded in 1948 by Adolf "Adi" Dassler, following the split of Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik between him and his older brother Rudolf. Rudolf later established , which was the early rival of Adidas. Registered in 1949, Adidas is currently based in Herzogenaurach, Germany, along with Puma.

The company's clothing and designs typically feature three parallel bars, and the same motif is incorporated into Adidas's current official logo. The "" were bought from the Finnish sport company Sports in 1951.[4][5] The company revenue for 2009 was listed at €10.38 billion and the 2008 figure at €10.80 billion.

Contents

[hide]

 1 Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik  2 Company split  3 The Tapie affair  4 Post—Tapie era  5 Products o 5.1 Running o 5.2 Football (soccer) o 5.3 o 5.4 Golf . 5.4.1 Company timeline . 5.4.2 Product o 5.5 o 5.6 o 5.7 Lacrosse o 5.8 Rugby o 5.9 Gymnastics o 5.10 Skateboarding o 5.11 o 5.12 Field Hockey o 5.13 Accessories  6 Marketing o 6.1 Game advertisement o 6.2 Sponsorship  7 Corporate information o 7.1 Current executive board o 7.2 Former management o 7.3 Financial information  8 Criticism o 8.1 2011 All Blacks replica rugby pricing controversy o 8.2 and Labor Rights Violations  9 See also  10 Notes  11 References  12 External links

[edit] Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik

A pair of Adidas Samba football trainers.

Adolf "Adi" Dassler started to produce his own sports in his mother's wash kitchen in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria after his return from World War I. On 1 July 1924, his brother Rudolf "Rudi" Dassler joined the business, which became Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory) and prospered. The pair started the venture in their mother's ,[6]:5 but, at the time, supplies in the town were unreliable, and the brothers sometimes had to use pedal power from a stationary bicycle to run their equipment.[7]

By the , Adi Dassler drove from Bavaria on one of the world's first motorways to the Olympic village with a suitcase full of spikes and persuaded U.S. sprinter to use them, the first sponsorship for an African American. Following Owens's haul of four gold medals, his success cemented the good reputation of Dassler shoes among the world's most famous sportsmen. Letters from around the world landed on the brothers' desks, and the trainers of other national teams were all interested in their shoes. Business boomed and the Dasslers were selling 200,000 pairs of shoes each year before World War II.[8]

[edit] Company split

Both brothers joined the Nazi Party, but Rudolf was slightly closer to the party. During the war, a growing rift between the pair reached a breaking point after an Allied bomb attack in 1943, when Adi and his wife climbed into a bomb shelter that Rudolf and his family were already in: "The dirty bastards are back again", Adi said, referring to the Allied war planes, but Rudolf was convinced his brother meant him and his family.[9] After Rudolf was later picked up by American soldiers and accused of being a member of the Waffen SS, he was convinced that his brother had turned him in.[7]

The brothers split up in 1947,[10] with

 Rudi forming a new firm that he called Ruda – from , later rebranded Puma, and  Adi forming a company formally registered as Adidas AG from Adi Dassler on 18 August 1949. The acronym All Day I Dream About Sport, although sometimes considered the origin of the Adidas name, was applied retroactively, which makes it a backronym. The name is actually a portmanteau formed from "Adi" (a nickname for Adolf) and "Das" (from "Dassler").[1]

[edit] The Tapie affair

Bernard Tapie, a former French businessman who once owned Adidas but has since relinquished his control over the company due to debt This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged

and removed. (October 2010)

After a period of trouble following the death of Adolf Dassler's son in 1987, the company was bought in 1989 by French industrialist , for ₣1.6 billion (now €243.9 million), which Tapie borrowed. Tapie was at the time a famous specialist of rescuing bankrupt companies, an expertise on which he built his fortune.

Tapie decided to move production offshore to Asia. He also hired Madonna for promotion. He sent, from Christchurch, New Zealand, a shoe sales representative to Germany and met Adolf Dassler's descendants (Amelia Randall Dassler and Bella Beck Dassler) and was sent back with a few items to promote the company there.

In 1992, unable to pay the loan interest, Tapie mandated the Crédit Lyonnais bank to sell Adidas, and the bank subsequently converted the outstanding debt owed into equity of the enterprise, which was unusual as per the prevalent French banking practice. The state-owned bank had tried to get Tapie out of dire financial straits as a personal favour to Tapie, it is reported, because Tapie was Minister of Urban Affairs (ministre de la Ville) in the French government at the time.

In February 1993, Crédit Lyonnais sold Adidas to Robert Louis-Dreyfus, a friend of Bernard Tapie for a much higher amount of money than what Tapie owed, 4.485 billion (€683.514 million) francs rather than 2.85 billion (€434.479 million). Tapie later sued the bank, because he felt "spoiled" by the indirect sale.[citation needed]

Robert Louis-Dreyfus became the new CEO of the company. He was also the president of Olympique de , a team Tapie had owned until 1993.[citation needed] Tapie filed for personal bankruptcy in 1994. He was the object of several lawsuits, notably related to match fixing at the football club. During 1997, he served 6 months of an 18-month prison sentence in La Santé prison in Paris. In 2005, French courts awarded Tapie a €135 million compensation (about 886 million francs).[citation needed]

[edit] Post—Tapie era

An Adidas casual shoe, with the company's distinctive three parallel bars

In 1994, combined with FIFA Youth Group, SOS Children's Villages became the main beneficiary.

In 1997, Adidas AG acquired the Salomon Group who specialized in ski wear, and its official corporate name was changed to Adidas-Salomon AG because with this acquisition Adidas also acquired the Taylormade Golf company and , which allowed them to compete with Nike Golf.

In 1998, Adidas sued the NCAA over their rules limiting the size and number of commercial logos on team and apparel. Adidas withdrew the suit, and the two groups established guidelines as to what three-stripe designs would be considered uses of the Adidas trademark.

In 2003, Adidas filed a lawsuit in a British court challenging Fitness World Trading's use of a two-stripe motif similar to Adidas's three stripes. The court ruled that despite the simplicity of the mark, Fitness World 's use was infringing because the public could establish a link between that use and Adidas's mark.[11]

In September 2004, top English fashion designer Stella McCartney launched a joint-venture line with Adidas, establishing a long-term partnership with the corporation. This line is a sports performance collection for women called "Adidas by Stella McCartney",[12] and it has been critically acclaimed.[13]

Also in 2005, on 3 May, Adidas told the public that they sold their partner company Salomon Group for €485m to of Finland. In August 2005, Adidas declared its intention to buy British rival Reebok for $3.8 billion (US$). This takeover was completed with partnership in January 2006[1] and meant that the company would have business sales closer to those of Nike in North America. The acquisition of Reebok would also allow Adidas to compete with Nike worldwide as the number two athletic shoemaker in the world.[14] Adidas has global corporate headquarters in Germany, and many other business locations around the world such as Portland OR, Hong Kong, Toronto, Taiwan, England, Japan, Australia, and Spain. Mainly sold in the U.S., Adidas makes lots of assets from these countries and is expanding to more oversea countries.

In 2005, Adidas introduced the , the first ever production shoe to use a microprocessor. Dubbed by the company "The World's First Intelligent Shoe", it features a microprocessor capable of performing 5 million calculations per second that automatically adjusts the shoe's level of cushioning to suit its environment. The shoe requires a small, user-replaceable battery that lasts for approximately 100 hours of running. On 25 November 2005, Adidas released a new version of the Adidas 1 with an increased range of cushioning, allowing the shoe to become softer or firmer, and a new motor with 153 percent more torque.[citation needed]

On 11 April 2006, Adidas announced an 11-year deal to become the official NBA apparel provider. They will make NBA, NBDL, and WNBA jerseys and products as well as team- Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)

Type Wholly owned subsidiary Industry Restaurants 1930 (original) (North Corbin, Founded Kentucky) 1952 (franchise) (South Salt Lake, Utah)

Founder(s) Harland Sanders Headquarters Louisville, Kentucky, United States Roger Eaton, President Key people Harvey R. Brownlea, COO James O'Reilly, VP for Marketing Fried chicken, grilled chicken, Products related Southern foods Revenue US$520.3 million (2007)[1] Employees 24,000 (2007)[1]

Parent Yum! Brands

Website www.KFC.com KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global Restaurants Inc.

KFC primarily sells chicken pieces, wraps, salads and sandwiches. While its primary focus is fried chicken, KFC also offers a line of grilled and roasted chicken products, side dishes and desserts. Outside the USA, KFC offers beef based products such as hamburgers or kebabs, poutine, pork based products such as ribs and other regional fare.

The company was founded as Kentucky Fried Chicken by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, though the idea of KFC's fried chicken actually goes back to 1930. Although Sanders died in 1980, he remains an important part of the company's branding and advertisements, and "Colonel Sanders" or "The Colonel" is a metonym for the company itself. The company adopted KFC, an abbreviated form of its name, in 1991. Starting in April 2007, the company began using its original name, Kentucky Fried Chicken, for its signage, packaging and advertisements in the U.S. as part of a new corporate re-branding program; Newer and remodeled restaurants will adopt the new logo and name, while older stores will continue to use the 1980s signage. Additionally, Yum! continues to use the abbreviated name freely in its advertising.

Contents

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 1 History  2 Recipe  3 Products o 3.1 Packaging o 3.2 Menu items  4 Advertising  5 Reception o 5.1 Environmental concerns o 5.2 Trademark disputes o 5.3 Animal rights o 5.4 Dispute over ingredients  6 International operations  7 See also  8 References  9 External links

History

The restaurant in North Corbin, Kentucky where Colonel Sanders developed Kentucky Fried Chicken

The first KFC restaurant, situated in South Salt Lake, Utah and since replaced by a new KFC on the same site

Born and raised in Henryville, Indiana, Sanders passed through several professions in his lifetime.[2] Sanders first served his fried chicken in 1930 in the midst of the Great Depression at a gas station he owned in North Corbin, Kentucky. The dining area was named Sanders Court & Café and was so successful that in 1935 Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon granted Sanders the title of honorary Kentucky Colonel in recognition of his contribution to the state's cuisine. The following year Sanders expanded his restaurant to 142 seats, and added a motel he bought across the street.[3] When Sanders prepared his chicken in his original restaurant in North Corbin, he prepared the chicken in an iron skillet, which took about 30 minutes to do, too long for a restaurant operation. In 1939, Sanders the cooking process for his fried chicken to use a pressure fryer, resulting in a greatly reduced cooking time comparable to that of deep frying.[4] In 1940 Sanders devised what came to be known as his Original Recipe.[5]

The Sanders Court & Café generally served travelers, often those headed to Florida, so when the route planned in the 1950s for what would become Interstate 75 bypassed Corbin, he sold his properties and traveled the U.S. to sell his chicken to restaurant owners. The first to take him up on the offer was Pete Harman in South Salt Lake, Utah; together, they opened the first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" outlet in 1952.[6] By the early 1960s, Kentucky Fried Chicken was sold in over 600 franchised outlets in both the United States and Canada. One of the longest- lived franchisees of the older Col. Sanders' chicken concept, as opposed to the KFC chain, was the Kenny Kings chain. The company owned many Northern Ohio diner-style restaurants, the last of which closed in 2004.

Sanders sold the entire KFC franchising operation in 1964 for $2million USD, equal to $14,161,464 today.[7] Since that time, the chain has been sold three more times: to Heublein in 1971, to R.J. Reynolds in 1982 and most recently to PepsiCo in 1986, which made it part of its Tricon Global Restaurants division, which in turn was spun off in 1997, and has now been renamed to Yum! Brands. In 2001, KFC started tests in Austin, Texas restaurants of "Wing Works" chicken wing line sold with one of a few flavored sauces. Also, KFC hired a consultant to develop a breakfast menu.[8]

Additionally, Colonel Sanders' nephew, Lee Cummings, took his own Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises (and a chicken recipe of his own) and converted them to his own "spin-off" restaurant chain, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken. Recipe

The recipe of 11 herbs and spices used by KFC in preparation of their chicken remains a trade secret.[9][10] Portions of the secret spice mix are made at different locations in the United States, and the only complete, handwritten copy of the recipe is kept in a vault in corporate headquarters.[11]

On September 9, 2008, the one complete copy was temporarily moved to an undisclosed location under extremely tight security while KFC revamped the security at its headquarters. Before the move, KFC disclosed[12] that the recipe, which includes exact amounts of each component, is written in pencil on a single sheet of notebook paper and signed by Sanders.[13] It was locked in a filing cabinet with two separate combination locks. The cabinet also included vials of each of the 11 herbs and spices used. Only two unnamed executives had access to the recipe at any one time.[14] One of the two executives said that no one had come close to guessing the contents of the secret recipe, and added that the actual recipe would include some surprises. On February 9, 2009, the secret recipe returned to KFC's Louisville headquarters in a more secure, computerized vault[15] guarded by motion detectors and security cameras. Reportedly, the paper has yellowed and the handwriting is now faint.[13]

In 1983, writer William Poundstone examined the recipe in his book Big Secrets. He reviewed Sanders' patent application, and advertised in college newspapers for present or former employees willing to share their knowledge.[16] From the former he deduced that Sanders had diverged from other common fried-chicken recipes by varying the amount of oil used with the amount of chicken being cooked, and starting the cooking at a higher temperature (about 400 °F (200 °C)) for the first minute or so and then lowering it to 250 °F (120 °C) for the remainder of the cooking time. Several of Poundstone's contacts also provided samples of the seasoning mix, and a food lab found that it consisted solely of sugar, flour, salt, black pepper and monosodium glutamate (MSG). He concluded that it was entirely possible that, in the years since Sanders sold the chain, later owners had begun skimping on the recipe to save costs.[17][18][19] Following his buyout in 1964, Colonel Sanders himself expressed anger at such changes, saying:

That friggin' ... outfit .... They prostituted every goddamn thing I had. I had the greatest gravy in the world and those sons of bitches-- they dragged it out and extended it and watered it down that I'm so goddamn mad![18][19]

Ron Douglas, author of the book America's Most Wanted Recipes, also claims to have figured out KFC's secret recipe.[20] Products

Packaging

The famous paper bucket that KFC uses for its larger sized orders of chicken and has come to signify the company was originally created by Wendy's restaurants founder Dave Thomas. Thomas was originally a franchisee of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken and operated several outlets in the Columbus, Ohio area. His reasoning behind using the paper packaging was that it helped keep the chicken crisp by wicking away excess moisture. Thomas was also responsible for the creation of the famous rotating bucket sign that came to be used at most KFC locations in the US.[21]

Menu items

Chicken

 KFC's specialty is fried chicken served in various forms. KFC's primary product is pressure-fried pieces of chicken made with the original recipe. The other chicken offering, extra crispy, is made using a garlic marinade and double dipping the chicken in flour before deep frying in a standard industrial kitchen type machine.  Kentucky Grilled Chicken – This marinated grilled chicken is targeted towards health- conscious customers. It features marinated breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings that are coated with seasonings before being grilled. It has less fat, calories, and sodium than the Original Recipe fried chicken.[22] Introduced in April 2009 and was adapted mid-2011 in the UK as the "Brazer".  KFC has two lines of burgers or sandwiches: its "regular" chicken sandwiches/burgers and its Snackers line. The regular sandwiches/burgers are served on either a sesame seed or corn dusted roll and are made from either whole breast fillets (fried or roasted), chopped chicken in a sauce or fried chicken strips. The Snackers line are cheaper items that consist of chicken strips and various toppings. These are known as "burgers" in most countries and "sandwiches" in the United States. There is the chicken fillet burger (a chicken breast fillet coated in an original-recipe coating with salad garnish and mayonnaise) and a Zinger Burger (as with the former but with a spicier coating and salsa). Both of these are available as "tower" variants in some locations, which include a slice of cheese and a hash brown. o KFC considers its Double Down product a sandwich or burger in spite of containing no bread.  A variety of finger foods, including chicken strips, wings, nuggets, and popcorn chicken, and potato wedges, are served with various sauces.  Several pies have been made available from KFC in some locations. The Pot Pie is a savory pie made with chicken, gravy and vegetables. In the second quarter of 2006, KFC introduced its variation on Shepherd's pie called the Famous Bowl, known simply as the Chicken Bowl outside the US. Served in a plastic bowl, it is layered with mashed potatoes or rice, gravy, corn, popcorn chicken, and cheese, and is served with a biscuit. The bowl had been available at KFC's special test market store in Louisville since the third quarter of 2005.  The KFC Twister is a that consists of either chicken strips or roasted chicken, tomato, lettuce and (pepper) mayonnaise wrapped in a tortilla. In Europe, the Twister is sold in two varieties: 1) the Grilled Twister (chicken strips),[23][24][25] and 2) the Grilled Mexican twister/Spicy Toasted Twister (UK) (chicken breast supplemented by tortilla chips and salsa, UK: adds only salsa to pepper mayonnaise),[26][27][28]  KFC Fillers are a 9 in (23 cm) sub, available in four varieties over the summer period in Australia.  Shish kebab – in several markets KFC sells kebabs.  Kentucky Barbecued Chicken – barbecued chicken dipped in the original recipe  Wrapstar is a variant of the KFC Twister, consisting of chicken strips with salsa, cheese, salad, pepper mayonnaise and other ingredients, contained in a compressed tortilla.[29][30]

Other products

Coleslaw

 In some locations, KFC may sell hamburgers, pork ribs or fish. In the U.S., KFC began offering the Fish Snacker sandwich during Lent in 2006. The Fish Snacker consists of a rectangular patty of Alaskan Pollock on a small bun, and is the fifth KFC menu item in the Snacker category.[31]  Some locations also may sell KFC 'Mashies' – balls of mashed potato cooked in original recipe batter[32]  Three types of salads (which can be topped with roasted or fried chicken) are available at KFC in the United States: Caesar, house, and BLT salads.  The Boneless Banquet  Zinger Burger – A regular sized burger which consists of a spicy chicken fillet with lettuce and mayonnaise in a burger bun. Cheese, tomato, bacon and pineapple can be added upon request in some locations. Barbecue sauce can also replace/join the mayonnaise in some locations.  Chili Cheese Fries[33] – By 2007, 2 former KFC/A&W Restaurants locations in Berlin and Cologne, Germany had reverted to KFC-only locations and the third location in Garbsen (by Hannover) was closed in 2005. The only remnant from the former A&W menu are the Chili Cheese Fries which were added to the systemwide KFC Germany menu.  Parfait desserts – "Little Bucket Parfaits" in varieties such as Fudge Brownie, Chocolate Crème (once called the Colonel's Little Fudge Bucket), Crème and Strawberry Shortcake are available at most locations in the US.[34]  Kentucky Nuggets - a chicken nugget product available at KFC from December 1984. It is still sold in New Zealand (as "Chicken Nuggets") and Australia, but has been discontinued in some other countries (e.g. Canada) since 1996.  Sara Lee Desserts – Available in either Cookies and Cream Cheesecake or Choc Caramel Mousse in some locations.  Krushers, available in Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa. These are drinks containing "real bits". They include "classic krushers", "smoothie krushers" and "fruit krushers". Some outlets are now equipped with "Krushbars" to serve these drinks. In the U.K., Krushers are known as Krushems.  Pastel de nata - varieties of the Portuguese Egg Tart is offered in several Asian locations.

Side Dishes

 Other than fried chicken, many KFC restaurants serve side dishes like coleslaw, various potato-based items (including potato wedges [formerly known as Kentucky Fries], french fries and mashed potatoes with gravy), biscuits, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, macaroni salad, rice, steamed vegetables and corn on the cob.

Discontinued products

 The Colonel's Rotisserie Gold – This product was introduced in 1993 as a response to the Boston Market chain's roasted chicken products, and a healthier mindset of the general public avoiding fried food. Purportedly made from a "lost" Col. Sanders recipe, it was sold as a whole roaster or a half bird. It is unknown as to whether or not Col. Sanders really had anything to do with developing the recipe, however, according to one of Sanders' daughters, he did tinker with a rotisserie product at one time.[35]  Tender Roast Chicken – This product was an offshoot of "The Colonel's Rotisserie Gold". Instead of whole and half birds, customers were given quarter roasted chicken pieces. For a time, customers could request chicken "original", "Extra Tasty Crispy", or "Tender Roast".  Chicken Little sandwich – a value oriented sandwich that sold for US$0.39[36] in the U.S. during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was a small chicken patty with mayonnaise on a small roll, similar to White Castle's mini chicken sandwich.[37]  Extra Tasty Crispy (ETC) – Chicken much like the Extra Crispy served today, except ETC was prepared using chicken that had been soaking for 15 minutes in a special marinade machine. There is some speculation that the marinade may have been made with trans-fats,[citation needed] and KFC confesses to no longer use trans-fats in their chicken, the known ingredients were garlic and chicken stock. In the summer of 2007, KFC started marketing the chicken just as "Extra Crispy" without the marinade.  Smokey Chipotle – Introduced in April 2008. The chicken was dipped in chipotle sauce then doubled breaded and fried. It has been discontinued since August 2008.

Nutritional value KFC has used partially hydrogenated oil in its fried foods. This oil contains relatively high levels of trans fat, which increases the risk of heart disease.

In the United States, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) filed a court case against KFC with the aim of making it use other types of oils or make sure customers know about trans fat content immediately before they buy food. In October 2006, KFC said it would begin frying its chicken in trans fat-free oil (<0.5g per serving) in the United States. This would also apply to their potato wedges and other fried foods, however, the biscuits, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes would still contain trans fat. Trans fat-free soybean oil was introduced in all KFC restaurants in the U.S. by April 30, 2007, and CSPI dropped its lawsuit.

However, outside the United States the company has continued to use other types of oil that have drawn criticism over their health effects. In Australia, KFC was reported to be using palm oil with up to 1 per cent trans-fat and 52 per cent saturated fat content as late as 2007, after restaurants in the United States had changed to trans-fat free oil.[38] Advertising

KFC's logo used from 1997 until November 2006

Despite his death in 1980, Sanders remains a key symbol of the company in its advertising and branding. Early television advertisements for KFC regularly featured Sanders licking his fingers and talking to the viewer about his secret recipe, and by the 1960s both the Colonel and the chain's striped bucket had become well-known. The bucket as product placement can be seen in the hands of both Annette Funicello and Dwayne Hickman in 1965's How to Stuff a Wild , and was also featured prominently in the 1968 Peter Sellers vehicle, The Party. KFC itself was featured in 1980's Superman II. The Colonel made appearances as himself in Jerry Lewis's The Big Mouth (1967), Herschell Gordon Lewis' Blast-Off Girls (1967) and Al Adamson's Hell's Bloody Devils (1970), as well as an appearance in 1968 on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. Before he became a platinum-selling pop star in the 1970s, Barry Manilow sang the commercial jingle "Get a Bucket of Chicken",[39] which was later included on Barry Manilow Live as part of "A Very Strange Medley."

Throughout the mid 1980s, KFC called on Will Vinton Studios to produce a series of humorous, claymation ads. These most often featured a cartoon-like chicken illustrating the poor food quality of competing food chains, mentioning prolonged freezing and other negative aspects.[40] TV ads also featured Foghorn Leghorn advising Henery Hawk to visit the restaurant for better chicken.

In the 1980s, KFC was an associate sponsor for Junior Johnson's NASCAR Winston Cup Series cars, with such drivers as , , and Terry Labonte.

A 1982 episode of Little House on the Prairie titled "Wave of the Future" featured a character presumed to be Col. Sanders offering Harriet Oleson a fried chicken franchise (perhaps a subliminal advertisement for KFC), but his character was credited as "Bearded Man" for legal reasons. This subplot was an anachronism as Sanders had not yet been born at the time the episode was set (the late 19th century).

In 1997, KFC briefly re-entered the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as sponsor of the No.26 Darrell Waltrip Motorsports Chevrolet with driver at the Brickyard 400.

A co-branded Long John Silver's and KFC

By the late 1990s, the stylized likeness of Colonel Sanders as the KFC logo had been modified. KFC ads began featuring an animated version of "the Colonel" voiced by Randy Quaid with a lively and enthusiastic attitude. He would often start out saying "The Colonel here!" and moved across the screen with a cane in hand. The Colonel was often shown dancing, singing, and knocking on the TV screen as he spoke to the viewer about the product.

A KFC Take-away Trailer located in Sargodha, Pakistan

The animated Colonel is uncommon today. Still using a humorous slant, the current KFC campaign revolves mostly around customers enjoying the food. It also features a modified version of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" as the theme song for practically all its commercials, though the restaurant actually hails from Kentucky.

In 2006, KFC claimed to have made the first logo visible from outer space, though Readymix has had one since 1965.[41][42] KFC says "It marked the official debut of a massive global re-image campaign that will contemporize 14,000-plus KFC restaurants in over 80 countries over the next few years." The logo was built from 65,000 one-foot-square tiles, and it took six days on site to construct in early November. The logo was placed in the Mojave Desert near Rachel, Nevada.[43] It is located in the northern section of Rachel, Nevada at 37.6460°N 115.7507°W, a few miles from the eastern border of Area 51.

Many KFC locations are co-located with one or more of Yum! Brands restaurants, Long John Silver's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, or A&W Restaurants. Many of these locations behave like a single restaurant, offering a single menu with food items from both restaurants.[44]

Revival of Kentucky Fried Chicken old logo

One of KFC's latest advertisements is a commercial advertising its "wicked crunch box meal". The commercial features a fictional black metal band called "Hellvetica" performing live, the lead singer then swallows fire. The commercial then shows the lead singer at a KFC eating the "wicked crunch box meal" and saying "Oh man that is hot".

Commercials in the early 2000s tried to imply that the abbreviation stands for Kitchen Fresh Chicken.[45] In 2007, the original, non-acronymic Kentucky Fried Chicken name was resurrected and began to reappear on company marketing literature and food packaging, as well as some restaurant signage.

In 2010, an advertisement was shown in Australia showing an Australian cricket giving West Indies fans KFC chicken to keep them quiet. The ad sparked a debate over racism in the ad, suggesting that all black people eat fried chicken. Fried chicken was eaten by black slaves[citation needed] because it was cheap and easy to make. Though KFC stated that it was "misinterpreted by a segment of people in the US",[46] the ad was later pulled from TV. However, several Australian commentators have expressed the opinion that the ad is not racist, because this is not a racial stereotype in Australia and the cricket fans in the ad are not African American, but West Indies cricket supporters (the West Indies cricket team was playing a Test cricket series against the Australian cricket team at the time of the ad).[47][48]

Also in 2010, Yum! signed a naming rights deal with the Louisville Authority for Louisville's new downtown arena, which opened on October 10 of that year as the KFC Yum! Center. Reception

Environmental concerns

KFC in the US has been accused by Greenpeace of a large destruction of the Amazon Rainforest, because the supply of soy used for chicken food that KFC receives from Cargill has been traced back to the European KFC. Cargill has reportedly been exporting soy illegally for several years.[49] The Greenpeace organization researched the issue and brought it to the attention of the parent company YUM! Brands, Inc. The parent company denied the illegal operation, and said that their supply of soy is grown in parts of Brazil.[49] Greenpeace has called on KFC to stop purchasing soy from Cargill, to avoid contributing to the destruction of the Amazon.[49][50]

Trademark disputes

In 1971, Sanders sued Heublein Inc., KFC's parent company at the time, over the alleged misuse of his image in promoting products he had not helped develop. In 1975, Heublein Inc. unsuccessfully sued Sanders for libel after he publicly referred to their gravy as "sludge" with a "wallpaper taste".[51]

In May 2007, KFC (Great Britain) requested that Tan Hill Inn, in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom refrain from using the term 'Family Feast' to describe its Christmas menu,[52] although this problem was quickly resolved with the pub being allowed to continue use of the term.[53]

Animal rights

Protesters demonstrating outside a KFC restaurant in Royal Oak, Michigan

Since 2003, animal rights and welfare organizations, led by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have been protesting KFC‘s treatment of the animals used for its products. These groups claim that the recommendations of the KFC Animal Welfare Advisory Council have been ignored.[54] Adele Douglass, a former member of the council, said in an SEC filing reported on by the Chicago Times, that KFC "never had any meetings. They never asked any advice, and then they touted to the press that they had this animal-welfare advisory committee. I felt like I was being used."[55][56]

KFC responded by saying the chickens used in its products are bought from suppliers like Perdue Farms, Tyson Foods, and Pilgrim's Pride, and that these suppliers are routinely monitored for animal welfare violations.[57] Several PETA undercover investigations and videos of these and other KFC suppliers purporting to show chickens being beaten, ripped apart, and thrown against walls contradict KFC‘s claims.[58] PETA has criticised some of the practices of chicken breeders, such as beak trimming and overcrowding, but KFC says its suppliers meets UK legal requirements. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recommends a maximum density of 34 kg—around 30 chickens—per square metre, and say that in circumstances where beak trimming needs to be carried out to prevent the birds injuring each other, only one third of the beak should be trimmed "measured from the tip towards the entrance of the nostrils".[59] PETA states that they have held more than 12,000 demonstrations at KFC outlets since 2003 because of this alleged mistreatment of chickens by KFC suppliers.[60]

In June 2008, KFC Canada agreed to PETA's demands for better welfare standards, including favoring suppliers who use controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK) of chickens, and other welfare standards as well as introducing a vegan sandwich at 65% of its outlets. PETA has called off its campaign against KFC Canada, but continues to demonstrate against KFC elsewhere in the world.[61]

Dispute over ingredients

In Summer 2011, a KFC franchisee serving Fiji, Kazi Foods, was forced to close down all three KFC locations in that country, due to the dispute over increasing duties and the eventual ban on the importation of specific key ingredients used to make the chicken; the restaurants closed as, without the ingredients, the chicken will not be up to KFC corporate standards.[62] International operations

According to the corporate website, KFC is present in 110 countries and territories around the world. It has in excess of 5,200 outlets in the United States and more than 15,000 units in other parts of the world.[63] An outlet opened in Nairobi, Kenya on August 2011. It is the first US- based fast food restaurant in the nation as well as in East Africa.[64] In December 2011 the first KFC was opened in Croatia, in .[65]

Countries with KFC restaurants

KFC in Fujairah, UAE

See also

 List of fast food restaurants References

Footnotes

1. ^ a b Joe Bramhall. "KFC". Hoovers.com. Retrieved February 21, 2008. 2. ^ Doug Bennett, Jr.. "Kentucky‘s Colonel Sanders". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 28, 2007.[dead link] 3. ^ Kevin Beimers, Aimee Lingman. "Doing Chicken Right Since 1932". roadtrip.beimers.com. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 4. ^ KFC (2007). "The Pressure Cooker". KFC. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 5. ^ KFC (2007). "History". KFC. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 6. ^ Jenifer K. Nii (2004). "Colonel's landmark KFC is mashed". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 7. ^ I've Got A Secret interview, originally broadcast April 6, 1964 (rebroadcast by GSN March 30, 2008). 8. ^ "KFC taps 'Seinfeld' star, starts 'Wing Works' test". Nation's Restaurant News (Lebhar- Friedman). August 6, 2001. Retrieved January 26, 2011. 9. ^ Andrew Shanahan (October 28, 2005). "Anatomy of a dish: KFC Family Feast – eight pieces of chicken(known as the "finger lickin chicken"), four regular fries, gravy and corn cobettes, £9.99". the Guardian (UK). Retrieved January 17, 2008. 10. ^ "KFC bolsters security – for secret recipe". CNN Money. September 9, 2008.[dead link] 11. ^ According to a profile of KFC done by the Food Network television show Unwrapped. 12. ^ Schreiner, Bruce, (September 9, 2008). "KFC shoring up security for secret recipe". Yahoo! News. Retrieved September 21, 2008. 13. ^ a b Ozersky, Josh (September 15, 2010). "KFC's Colonel Sanders: He Was Real, Not Just an Icon". Time. Retrieved September 18, 2010. 14. ^ Bulleit, Jim. "KFC'sSecret Recipe Returns Home". WLKY. Retrieved March 9, 2009. 15. ^ "Colonel‘s recipe returns to KFC". Business First of Louisville. February 10, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009. 16. ^ Poundstone, William (1983). Big Secrets: The Uncensored Truth About All Sorts of Stuff You are Never Supposed to Know. New York: Morrow. pp. 228 pages. ISBN 0-688- 02219-7. 17. ^ Poundstone, pp 20–21. 18. ^ a b Ritzer, George (2004). The McDondaldization of Society. New York: Pine Forge Press. p. 64. 19. ^ a b Dr. John S. Mahoney (2007). "Notes to Accompany Chapter 4 of Ritzer (McDonaldization)". Virginia Commonwealth University. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 20. ^ Jennifer Fermino (July 20, 2009). "Fryin' on a Wing and a Prayer". New York Post. 21. ^ Wepman, Dennis. "Dave Thomas". American National Biography Online. Retrieved April 22, 2009. 22. ^ "Nutrition – Grilled Chicken". 23. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | grilled twister". Kfc.de. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 24. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | grilled twister". Kfc.nl. Archived from the original on June 3, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 25. ^ All Time Classics. "Toasted Twisters made wrapped in a Warm Flour Tortilla grilled to seal in the flavour – KFC.co.uk". Kfc.co.uk. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 26. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | grilled mexican twister". Kfc.de. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 27. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | grilled mexican twister". Kfc.nl. Archived from the original on June 14, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 28. ^ All Time Classics. "Spicy Toasted Twister with Hot Salsa wrapped in a Warm Flour Tortilla grilled to seal in the flavour – KFC.co.uk". Kfc.co.uk. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 29. ^ Kelly, Sean (April 13, 2009). "The Wrapstar: Review". Pictou County, Nova Scotia: The News. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 30. ^ "Non-broadcast Adjudications: Kentucky Fried Chicken (Great Britain) Ltd t/a KFC". Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom). February 20, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2009. 31. ^ Alex Davis for the Louisville Courier-Journal (2007). "KFC tries Kentucky fried fish". Archive. Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 32. ^ "Promos – KFC". kfc.co.nz. Retrieved October 13, 2009. 33. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | chili cheese fries". Kfc.de. Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 34. ^ "Little Bucket Parfaits". KFC.com. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 35. ^ Peter O. Keegan (1993). "Rotisserie Gold media blitz storms nation". Nations Restaurant News. Retrieved August 21, 2007. 36. ^ January 4, 2008 (January 4, 2008). "YouTube – KFC Chicken Littles 1987 TV Commercial". Youtube. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 37. ^ Webb Howell, (2000). "Power to the People". QSR Magazine. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2007. 38. ^ "KFC owner sticks by its cooking oil". The Sydney Morning Herald. March 13, 2007. 39. ^ "Barry Manilow – BarryNet – His Music – Commercial Jingles". Barrynethomepage.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011. 40. ^ Animate Clay!. "Vinton Studio Commercials". Animate Clay!. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2009. 41. ^ KFC (2006). "KFC Creates World's First Brand Visible from Space". Press Release. KFC. Archived from the original on December 24, 2006. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 42. ^ Stephen Hutcheon (December 13, 2006). "Giant Nullarbor logo zooms back into focus". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 43. ^ "KFC Unveils New Logo with Giant Image in Nevada Desert". Associated Press. Fox News. November 14, 2006. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 44. ^ Melanie Warner (July 11, 2005). "Diners Walk Through One Door and Visit Two Restaurants". New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2007. "Yum's multibranded stores have two illuminated logos, but they function as one restaurant. They have combined kitchens, a single line of cashiers and a staff trained to prepare both sets of menu items." 45. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_company_name_etymologies#K 46. ^ "KFC ad labelled 'racist' by US commentators". news.com.au. January 6, 2010. 47. ^ Schloeffel, James (January 11, 2010). "KFC ad a storm in a fried chicken bucket". The Age. 48. ^ "KFC advertisement branded as racist". Retrieved February 1, 2011. 49. ^ a b c Greenpeace (2006). "KFC exposed for trashing the Amazon rainforest for buckets of chicken". Greenpeace. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 50. ^ Brazil Magazine (2006). "KFC's Secret Ingredients Include Soy That's Destroying the Amazon, Says Greenpeace". Brazil Magazine. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 51. ^ Kleber, John E.; Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter (June 1992). The Kentucky Encyclopedia. University Press of Kentucky. p. 796. ISBN 0-81311- 772-0. 52. ^ "Pub Fights KFC for 'Family Feast'". BBC. May 10, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2008. 53. ^ Porter, John (May 10, 2007). "KFC lets Yorkshire pub keep its family feast". The Publican. Retrieved September 17, 2008. 54. ^ Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Johan Raj, Dr. Ian Duncan (2005). "Animal welfare recommendations and proposed plan of action for implementation at KFC suppliers" (PDF). People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 55. ^ Securities and Exchange Commission (2006). "Relating to an Animal Welfare Standards Report – Shareholder Proposal". EDGAR Online, Inc.. Retrieved October 28, 2007.[dead link] 56. ^ David Montgomery (2003). "Small But Mighty Rights Group Tries Gentler Approach". Archived. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 57. ^ CNN (October 17, 2003). "Pamela Anderson takes on KFC". CNN. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 58. ^ PETA (2005). "Undercover Investigations". PETA. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 59. ^ Andrew Shanahan (October 28, 2005). "Anatomy of a dish: KFC Family Feast – eight pieces of chicken (known as the "finger lickin chicken"), four regular fries, gravy and corn cobettes, £9.99". the Guardian (UK). Retrieved January 17, 2008. 60. ^ "PETA v. KFC – Campaign Highlights". PETA. Retrieved August 17, 2009. 61. ^ "'Kentucky Fried Cruelty' comes to an end". Edmontonsun.com. June 1, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 62. ^ ABC Radio Australia: "KFC in a flap over Fiji ban", August 2, 2011. 63. ^ KFC (2007). "About Us". KFC. Retrieved July 7, 2011. 64. ^ Straziuso, Jason (2011-08-27). "KFC goes to Kenya; first U.S. fast-food chain in E. Africa". USA Today. 65. ^ "Kentucky Fried Chicken opens first Croatian branch". Croation Times. December 16, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011.

General sources

 "KFC Great American Success Story" by Bruce Schreiner (The Associated Press) External links

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 This page was last modified on 16 January 2012 at 08:40.  Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of use for details. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.  Contact us coloured versions of the "Superstar" basketball shoe. This deal (worth over $400 million) takes the place of the previous 10-year Reebok deal that was put in place in 2001. [edit] Products

[edit] Running

A pair of Adidas Response Cushion 18 running trainers.

Adidas currently manufactures several running shoes, including the adiStar Salvation 3, the adiStar Ride 3 (the replacement for the adiStar Cushion 6), the Supernova Sequence 4 (the replacement for the Supernova Control 10), and the Supernova Glide 3, among others. In addition, their performance apparel is widely used by runners. Adidas also uses kangaroo leather to make their more expensive shoes.[15][16]

[edit] Football (soccer)

One of the main focuses of Adidas is football kit and associated equipment. Adidas remain a major company in the supply of team kits for international football teams.

Adidas also makes referee kits that are used in international competition and by many countries and leagues in the world. The company has been an innovator in the area of footwear for the sport, with notable examples including the 1979 release of the Copa Mundial moulded used for matches on firm dry pitches. It holds the accolade of the best selling boot of all time. The soft-ground equivalent was named World Cup and it too remains on the market, timeless and iconic. Some of the most famous football teams are currently sponsored by Adidas.[citation needed]

Adidas became renowned for advancing the Predator boot design developed by ex-Liverpool and Australian international player Craig Johnston. This design featured a ribbed rubber structure for the upper leather of the shoe, used to accent the movement of the ball when struck; highly skilled players claimed they were able to curve the flight of the ball more easily when wearing this new contoured design.[citation needed] The Predator also features the Craig Johnston-invented Traxion sole.

FIFA, the world governing body of football, commissioned specially designed footballs for use in its own World Cup tournaments to favour more attacking play. The balls supplied for the 2006 World Cup, the Teamgeist, were particular noteworthy for their ability to travel further than previous types when struck, leading to longer range goal strikes that were intended to increase the number of goals scored.[citation needed] Goalkeepers were believed to be less comfortable with the design, claiming it would move significantly and unpredictably in flight.[citation needed]

Adidas also introduced another new ball for the 2010 World Cup. The Jabulani ball was designed and developed by Loughborugh University in conjunction with Chelsea FC. It received much criticism from players, managers and pundits for being too hard to control.[citation needed] The lighter and more aerodynamic ball led to many shots and passes being over hit. The Jabulani was widely blamed for the low numbers of long range goals or even remotely accurate attempts in the opening stage of the tournament.[citation needed]

As well as the aforementioned Predator boot, Adidas also manufacture the F50 and adiPure range of football boots. Adidas also provides apparel and equipment for all teams in Major League Soccer. [edit] Tennis

Professional tennis player Andy Murray.

Adidas has sponsored tennis players and recently introduced a new line of tennis racquets. While the Feather is made for the "regular player", and the Response for the "club player", Adidas targets the "tournament player" with the 12.2 oz Barricade tour model.[17] Adidas sponsors the following professional players with mainly clothing apparel and footwear: Ana Ivanović, Andy Murray, Maria Kirilenko, Caroline Wozniacki, Justine Henin, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Daniela Hantuchová, Alicia Molik, Fernando Verdasco, Gilles Simon, Fernando González, Flavia Pennetta, Laura Robson, Melanie Oudin, and Sorana Cîrstea. Adidas tennis apparel contains the ClimaCool technology found in other athletic jerseys and shoes.[18]

In November 2009 World Number 4 Andy Murray was confirmed as Adidas's highest paid star with a 5 year contract reported to be worth $24.5m.[19]

Players sponsored by Adidas can take advantage of the Adidas Player Improvement Program, where the company provides coaches, fitness trainers and sports psychologists to players in order to further their careers. The program includes legendary coaches such as Darren Cahill and Sven Groeneveld.

In Cincinnati, at the ATP Tennis Tournament in Mason, they have also sponsored the ball-boy and ball-girl uniforms.

[edit] Golf Adidas Golf is part of Adidas, a German-based sports apparel manufacturer and part of the Adidas Group, which consists of Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company, and Rockport. The Adidas Group is one of the global leaders in the sporting goods industry offering a wide range of products around the three core segments of Adidas, Reebok, and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf. Adidas Golf sells and manufactures Adidas-brand golf apparel, footwear, and accessories.

[edit] Company timeline

In 1997, Adidas AG acquired the Salomon Group who specialized in alpine ski wear, and its official corporate name was changed to Adidas-Salomon AG because with this acquisition Adidas also acquired the TaylorMade Golf company and Maxfli, which allowed them to compete with Nike Golf. Salomon sold its controlling interest in TaylorMade and its other companies to global giant Adidas AG.

In 1998, Adidas Golf USA moved its business operations from Tualatin, Oregon, to the Carlsbad, California headquarters of TaylorMade Golf, acquired by Adidas-Salomon. Adidas Golf USA had thirty employees to relocate. Carlsbad is also the headquarters of one of its primary competitors, .

In 1999, TaylorMade and AdidasGolf USA, were merged into a new company—called TaylorMade-Adidas Golf—with world headquarters in Carlsbad. Mark King was named president of the company he had begun his career with in 1981 as a sales representative after a short stint as vice president of sales and marketing at Callaway Golf Ball Co. in 1998.

In November 2008, Ashworth (clothing) became a wholly owned subsidiary of TaylorMade- Adidas Golf, complementary to the synthetic performance fabrics of Adidas Golf.

[edit] Product

Adidas Golf sells apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and youth. Men's equipment includes footwear, shirts, , pants, outerwear, base layer and eyewear. Women's equipment includes footwear, shirts, shorts, , pants, outerwear, base layers, and eyewear. Youth equipment includes both boys and girls footwear, apparel, and eyewear.

[edit] Cricket

Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, batting with his personalized Adidas Bat.

In the 1990s, Adidas signed world's iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar of India and made shoes for him.[20] Tendulkar continues to wear Adidas shoes while playing matches. Since 2008, Adidas has sponsored the cricket bat used by Sachin Tendulkar. It created a new cricket bat, 'Adidas Master Blaster', personalized for him.

In 2008, Adidas made their move into English cricket market by sponsoring English batting star Kevin Pietersen after the cancellation of his lifetime deal with Woodworm, when they ran into financial difficulties.[21] The following year they signed up fellow England player Ian Bell, Pakistan opening batsman Salman Butt and Indian Player Ravindra Jadeja. Having made cricket footwear for many years, the company finally entered the field of bat manufacture in 2008 and their products are available in the Incurza, Pellara and Libro ranges.

Adidas manufactures uniforms for the England cricket team. Adidas signed with Cricket South Africa in 2011 and the uniforms worn by South African Cricket Team during and after the 2011 will be manufactured by the German giant.[22] They also sponsor the South Korea national cricket team.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Adidas are the official apparel sponsor for the teams Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors India.[23][24]

[edit] Basketball

Adidas has been a longtime basketball shoe manufacturer and is one of the leading basketball brands in the world. They are most famous for their late 1960s iconic Superstar and Pro Model shoes, affectionately known as "shelltoes" for their stylized hard rubber toe box.[citation needed] These were made very popular in the 1980s hip hop streetwear scene alongside Adidas's stripe- sided polyester .[citation needed]

Adidas is also the current outfitter of all 30 franchises in the National Basketball Association (replacing the Reebok brand after the merger) and sponsors numerous players past and present like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tracy McGrady, as well as Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups, Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon, Michael Beasley, Josh Smith and Tim Duncan. Adidas endorsed Kobe Bryant with the Adidas Equipment KB8 as his first signature shoe until July 2002.[25] The company also endorsed Kevin Garnett until he opted out of his contract in 2010.[26] Gilbert Arenas was an Adidas endorser until 2010.[27]

[edit] Lacrosse

In 2007, Adidas announced the future production of lacrosse equipment, and will sponsor the Adidas National Lacrosse Classic in July 2008 for the top 600 high school underclassmen lacrosse players in the United States.[28]

[edit] Rugby

All Blacks rugby jersey

Adidas make rugby balls and other rugby gear. They are the current kit and ball supplier to the New Zealand All Blacks, Irish Munster Rugby, the Argentinian Pumas, and the South African Stormers and Western Province rugby union teams among others. Adidas are also the official match ball supplier to the Heineken Cup.

[edit] Gymnastics

Since 2000, Adidas has provided men's and women's gymnastics wear for Team USA, through USA Gymnastics. In 2006, Adidas gymnastics for women and Adidas men's comp shirts, gymnastics pants and gymnastics shorts have been available in the USA, with seasonal leotards offered for Spring, Summer, Fall and Holidays. Starting in 2009, Adidas gymnastics wear has been available worldwide through GK Elite Sportswear.[29]

[edit] Skateboarding

Adidas SB (Skateboarding) are shoes made specifically for skateboarding. Many of the shoes Adidas previously made were redesigned for skateboarding.

Adidas Skateboarding also has a skateboarding team. The team consists of: Mark Gonzales, Dennis Busenitz, Tim O'Connor, Silas Baxter-Neal, Pete Eldridge, Benny Fairfax, Lucas Puig, Nester Judkins, Lem Villemin,Vince Del Valle and Jake Brown.

[edit] Baseball

Adidas has also provided baseball equipments and sponsors numerous players of Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan.

From 1997 to 2008, Adidas sponsored New York Yankees.[30]

In Japan, Adidas is the official apparel sponsor for the teams Yomiuri Giants[31] and Waseda University. [edit] Field Hockey

Adidas has provided Hockey equipment's and sponsors numerous players of Germany, England, , Australia and Spain. They also sponsor Reading Hockey Club[32], Beeston Hockey Club [33] and East Grinstead Hockey Club. [34]

[edit] Accessories

Adidas also designs and makes , watches, eyewear, bags, baseball , and .

Adidas Fresh Impact – Limited Edition

As well, Adidas has a branded range of male and female deodorants, perfumes, aftershave and lotions. [edit] Marketing

Adidas, like other sports brands, is believed to engender high consumer brand loyalty. Brand loyalty towards Adidas, Nike, Inc., Puma AG and several other sportswear brands was examined in a recent study.[35] The study found consumers did not exhibit unduly high loyalty towards such brands.

During the mid to late 1990s, Adidas divided the brand into three main groups with each a separate focus: Adidas Performance was designed to maintain their devotion to the athlete; was designed to focus on fashion and life-style; and Style Essentials, with the main group within this one being Y-3.

"Impossible is Nothing" is the current mainstream marketing slogan for Adidas. This campaign was developed by 180/TBWA based in Amsterdam but also with significant work being done by TBWA/Chiat/Day in San Francisco – particularly for its basketball campaign "Believe In Five".TBWA\Chiat\Day commissioned Zane Peach[36] to produce images for 2007 international ad campaign.

[edit] Game advertisement

The brand is featured in several games. Amiga|Commodore Amiga: Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge Sony Playstation: Adidas power soccer Commodore 64, ZX spectrum, Amstrad CPC: Adidas Championship Football

[edit] Sponsorship

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged

and removed. (November 2010) Main article: List of Adidas sponsorships

Adidas is a major domestic (within Germany) and international sports and events sponsor. During the last number of years, the Group has increased its marketing and sponsorship budget.[37] Adidas is a key sponsor and supplier to the National Basketball Association (NBA). The company recently unveiled a new NBA game jersey to be worn by all NBA players in games beginning in the 2010–2011 season.

Adidas are the main sponsor and kit supplier of the highly successful New Zealand national rugby team, the All Blacks. Adidas also are the kit supplier to the Los Pumas, the Eagles, the Irish professional rugby union team, Munster Rugby and the French professional rugby union club, Stade Français.

Adidas also sponsors and produces apparel for the club Gold Coast Titans in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) competition.

In cricket, the company are the main and kit sponsors sponsors of the successful England Cricket Team and the South African Cricket Team . They are also the main sponsors of the Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag and English cricketer Kevin Pietersen. They are sponsors of the Indian Premier League teams Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians.

Adidas is the longstanding kit provider to the Germany national football team, a sponsorship that began in 1954 and is contracted to continue until at least 2018. Adidas also sponsors the Argentine, Japanese, Mexican, Scottish, Spanish and Colombian national football teams, among others.[38]

Adidas is very active at sponsoring top football clubs such as R.S.C. Anderlecht, Wisła Kraków, Rapid , Real Madrid, Aberdeen F.C., AC Milan, Dynamo Kyiv, Metalist, Partizan Belgrade, Chelsea, Palmeiras, Fluminense, Bayern Munich, Rosenborg BK, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City F.C., Lyon, Marseille, AFC Ajax, Schalke 04, Galatasaray, Benfica, River Plate, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, UANL Tigres, Panathinaikos, South Melbourne FC, IFK Göteborg, Zamalek SC, Al-Ahly, Al-Hilal, Ahli Jeddah,Ahly Benghazi,Madina Tripoli,Tahaddy Benghazi, Caracas, Universidad de Chile, Los Millonarios, Beitar Jerusalem F.C., Albirex Niigata, Atlético Nacional and C.D. Guadalajara.

Adidas is the apparel partner of the Collingwood Football Club and the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.

Adidas and Major League Soccer (MLS) announced a 8-year sponsorship agreement in August 2010 that will continue to make Adidas the official athletic sponsor and licensed product supplier for the league, and to work together to expand the developmental league for MLS through 2018.[39]

Adidas also sponsors events such as the London Marathon and Adidas Sundown Marathon in Singapore.[40]

In the 1980s, Adidas sponsored rap group Run-D.M.C., a breakthrough idea.

For the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Adidas spent €70 million sponsoring the event, amid criticisms.[41]

Adidas has also been marketing in NASCAR, sponsoring big name drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Tony Stewart. [edit] Corporate information

[edit] Current executive board

 CEO Adidas-group: Herbert Hainer  Finance Adidas-group: Robin J. Stalker  CEO Adidas brand: Erich Stamminger  Global Operations Adidas-group: Glenn S. Bennett

[edit] Former management

 CEO (1993–2002): Robert Louis-Dreyfus.

[edit] Financial information

Financial data in millions of euros[2] Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Sales 10,084 10,299 10,799 10,381 11,990

EBITDA 1,078 1,165 1,280 780 1,159

Net results 483 551 642 245 567

Net debt 2,231 1,766 2,189 917 221 [edit] Criticism

As with the majority of prolific brand-based transnationals, Adidas's business practises/ethics and commitment to worker welfare have been scrutinised and often criticised.[42][43]

[edit] 2011 All Blacks replica rugby jersey pricing controversy

Unhappy with the local price of the Adidas replica All Blacks jersey, New Zealand-based All Blacks fans have asked for price cuts and begun purchasing the jersey from overseas vendors after it was revealed that the local price of $NZ220 was more than twice the price offered on some websites.[44]

Adidas has responded by enforcing cross-border agreements to stop overseas retailers from selling to New Zealand residents. It has been labelled a public relations disaster by leading New Zealand PR firms and Consumer advocate groups. The largest New Zealand sportswear retailer Rebel Sport has stated it is angry and is considering selling the All Blacks Jerseys to the general public below cost. As of August 9, 2011, Rebel Sport has decided not to stock the Adidas Rugby Union .[45]

[edit] Sweatshops and Labor Rights Violations

Adidas has been criticized for operating sweatshops, particularly in Indonesia. Between 2006 and 2007, Adidas rejected many of its suppliers that supported unions for subcontractors with less reputable labor rights records.[46] By subcontracting work to different suppliers, it is more difficult for Adidas to ensure company labor standards are enforced. Workplace standards that Adidas' policy upholds include the freedom for workers to take part in collective bargaining and a non-retaliation policy towards workers who express concerns.[47] In practice, however, many of Adidas' suppliers have not upheld these standards. At the Panarub factory in Java, 33 workers were fired after striking for better pay in 2005.[48] PT Kizone is another Indonesian factory where Adidas has received criticism over treatment of workers. They produced products for Adidas as well as Nike and the Dallas Cowboys until they closed recently. 2800 workers were laid off and are owed $3 million in severance pay. Nike has contributed $1.5 million but Adidas has not acted. A campaign has been initiated by United Students Against Sweatshops calling for universities to cut contracts with Adidas.[49] [edit] See also

Companies portal

 List of swimwear brands [edit] Notes

1. ^ a b c "Adidas Group History". Adidas-group.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 2. ^ a b c d e f g "Annual Report 2010". Adidas. Retrieved 31 March 2011. 3. ^ "Adidas, Deutsche Telekom, Infineon: German Equity Preview". Bloomberg L.P.. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2008. 4. ^ Smit, Barbara (2007). Pitch Invasion, Adidas, Puma and the making of modern sport. Penguin. p. 44. ISBN 0-14-102368-6. 5. ^ Simon Chadwick, Dave Arthur (2007). International cases in the business of sport. Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 438. ISBN 0-7506-8543-3. 6. ^ Smit, Barbara (2009). Sneaker Wars. New York: Harper Perennial. ISBN 978-0-06- 124658-6. 7. ^ a b James, Kyle. "The Town that Sibling Rivalry Built, and Divided | Business | Deutsche Welle | 03.07.2006". Dw-world.de. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 8. ^ "How Adidas and PUMA were born". in.rediff.com. 8 November 2005. Retrieved 26 September 2010.[dead link] 9. ^ Esterl, Mike (21 March 2008). Review of "Sneaker Wars: The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and PUMA and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sport", Barbara Smit, March 2008, ISBN 978-0-06-124657-9. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 10. ^ Esterl, Mike (21 March 2008). Review of "Sneaker Wars: The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and Puma and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sport", Barbara Smit, March 2008, ISBN 978-0-06-124657-9. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 11. ^ Adidas told its three stripes don't constitute a trademark at The Guardian 12. ^ "Stella McCartney collection". Adidas.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 13. ^ Stella McCartney Biography at Internet Movie Database 14. ^ "AOL.com". Aolsvc.news.aol.com. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 15. ^ "SaveTheKangaroo.com" (PDF). Retrieved 26 September 2010. 16. ^ "Kangaroos on Track to extinction?". youtube. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 17. ^ Tennis-warehouse.com 18. ^ "Adidas tennis". Adidas.com. Retrieved 10 April 2010. 19. ^ "Andy Murray signs head-to-toe deal with Adidas". SportsProMedia. Retrieved 10 October 2010. 20. ^ "‗Brand Tendulkar will never lose value‘". The Indian Express. India. 5 May 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2010. 21. ^ Pringle, Derek (16 October 2008). "Kevin Pietersen snaps up lucrative bat deal after the demise of Woodworm". The Daily Telegraph (UK). Retrieved 14 May 2009. 22. ^ "Pure Proteas – Adidas South Africa". Adidas.com. Retrieved 6 May 2011. 23. ^ "Indiatimes – The Economic Times, March 2, 2011". Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011. 24. ^ Agencies. "Pune warriors sign sponsorship deal with Adidas". expressindia.com. Retrieved 6 May 2011. 25. ^ ESPN. "Kobe and Adidas part ways after six years". assets.espn.go.com. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 26. ^ Nice Kicks. "Kevin Garnett to leave Adidas for Anta". nicekicks.com. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 27. ^ Huffington Post. "Gilbert Arenas' Adidas Deal Up In Flames". huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 28. ^ "Level 2 Sports – Home". Adidasnationallacrosseclassic.com. Retrieved 10 April 2010. 29. ^ "Adidas gymnastics". Gkelite.com. Retrieved 10 April 2010. 30. ^ Sandomir, Richard (3 March 1997). "Yankees and Adidas Agree On a Big Sponsorship Deal". nytimes.com. Retrieved 9 August 2011. 31. ^ "Adidas×Giants". AdidasGiants.com. Retrieved 9 August 2011. 32. ^ Reading Hockey Club. "Reading Hockey Club sponsored by Adidas". readinghockeyclub.org.uk. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 33. ^ Beeston Hockey Club. "Beeston Hockey Club sponsored by Adidas". www.beestonhockeyclub.com. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 34. ^ East Grinstead Hockey Club.. "E.G. Hockey Club sponsored by Adidas". www.eghockey.co.uk/. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 35. ^ Dawes, J. "Brand Loyalty in the UK Sporswear Market." International Journal of Market Research, Vol 51, No. 1 2009. 36. ^ "Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art". Wolfecontemporary.com. Retrieved 10 April 2010. 37. ^ "Adidas Group 2010 Outlook". Adidas Group. 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 38. ^ "Islam Feruz called up to U17 squad". ScottishFA.co.uk. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2009. 39. ^ [1][dead link] 40. ^ "Adidas Sundown Marathon". yoursingapore.com. Retrieved 6 May 2011. 41. ^ "Adidas Chief Criticizes Anti-China Protestors". Der Spiegel. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2008. 42. ^ "Tyee – Homepage". Thetyee.ca. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 43. ^ "News & Views". Common Dreams. 8 March 2002. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 44. ^ Blechynden, Kent (8 August 2011). "Adidas stands by All Blacks jersey price". The Dominion Post (NZ). Retrieved 8 August 2011. 45. ^ Dickison, Michael (5 August 2011). "Adidas stands by All Blacks jersey price". The New Zealand Herald (NZ). Retrieved 8 August 2011. 46. ^ "Adidas". Oxfam Australia. Retrieved 11 November 2011. 47. ^ "Our Workplace Standards". Adidas. Retrieved 11 November 2011. 48. ^ "Inside Adidas' Indonesian Factories". Oxfam Australia. Retrieved 11 November 2011. 49. ^ Greenhouse, Steven. "Students Battle a Dallas Cowboys Unit Over College Apparel". New York Times (New York, NY). Retrieved 11 November 2011. [edit] References

 "Adidas Golf USA moves to Carlsbad; Adidas faces legal suit". Sports Business Daily. 19 August 1998. Retrieved 22 October 2010.  "Taylor Made Golf Co". FundingUniverse. Retrieved 22 October 2010.  Freeman, Mike (19 August 1999). "Taylor, Adidas merge, reshuffle : Hiring of Callaway official for key post could trigger lawsuit". The San Diego Union-Tribune: p. C.1. Retrieved 22 October 2010.  Ward, Denise T. (14 May 2001). "Profile: Mark King, Taylor Made For His Job". San Diego Business Journal. Archived from the original on ?. Retrieved 22 October 2010. [edit] External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Adidas

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 Lacoste

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the clothing company. For other uses, see Lacoste (disambiguation). Lacoste S.A.

Type Société Anonyme

Industry Retail Founded Troyes, France (1933) Founder(s) René Lacoste, André Gillier Corporate: Paris, France. Headquarters Distribution: Troyes Products Apparel, Shoes, Perfumes

Website www.lacoste.com

Lacoste is a French apparel company founded in 1933 that sells high-end clothing, footwear, perfume, leather goods, watches, eyewear, and most famously tennis shirts. In recent years, Lacoste has introduced a home line of sheeting and towels. The company can be recognized by its green crocodile logo.[1]

Contents

[hide]

 1 History  2 Brand management  3 Retailers of the brand  4 Controversies o 4.1 Environmental Practices o 4.2 Censorship of Palestinian Art  5 See also  6 References  7 External links

[edit] History

René Lacoste founded La Chemise Lacoste in 1933 with André Gillier, the owner and president of the largest French knitwear manufacturing firm at the time. They began to produce the revolutionary tennis shirt Lacoste had designed and worn on the tennis courts with the crocodile logo embroidered on the chest. Although the company claims this as the first example of a brand name appearing on the outside of an article of clothing,[2] the "Jantzen girl" logo appeared on the outside of Jantzen Knitting Mills' as early as 1921.[3] In addition to tennis shirts, Lacoste produced shirts for golf and sailing. In 1951, the company began to expand as it branched from "tennis white" and introduced color shirts. In 1952, the shirts were exported to the United States and advertised as "the status symbol of the competent sportsman," influencing the clothing choices of the upper-class. Lacoste was sold at Brooks Brothers until the late 1960s. It is still one of the most popular brands in the United States, sporting the "preppy ".

A Lacoste tennis shirt, from the 2006 spring collection

In 1963, Bernard Lacoste took over the management of the company from his father René. Significant company growth was seen under Bernard's management. When he became president, around 300,000 Lacoste products were sold annually. The Lacoste brand reached its height of popularity in the US during the late 1970s and became the signature 1980s "preppy" wardrobe item, even getting mentioned in Lisa Birnbach's Official Preppy Handbook of 1980. The company also began to introduce other products into their line including shorts, perfume, optical and , tennis shoes, deck shoes, walking shoes, watches, and various leather goods.

In the United States in the 1970s and 1980s, Izod and Lacoste were often used interchangeably because starting in the 1950s, Izod produced clothing known as Izod Lacoste under license for sale in the U.S. This partnership ended in 1993 when Lacoste regained exclusive U.S. rights to distribute shirts under its own brand. In 1977, Le Tigre Clothing was founded in an attempt to directly compete with Lacoste in the US market, selling a similar array of apparel, but featuring a tiger in place of the signature Lacoste crocodile.

More recently, Lacoste's popularity has surged due to French designer Christophe Lemaire‘s work to create a more modern, upscale look. In 2005, almost 50 million Lacoste products sold in over 110 countries. Its visibility has increased due to the contracts between Lacoste and several young tennis players, including American tennis star Andy Roddick, French rising young prospect Richard Gasquet, and Swiss Olympic gold medalist Stanislas Wawrinka. Lacoste has also begun to increase its presence in the golf world, where noted two time Masters Tournament champion José María Olazábal and Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie have been seen sporting Lacoste shirts in tournaments.

Bernard Lacoste became seriously ill in early 2005, which led him to transfer the presidency of Lacoste to his younger brother and closest collaborator for many years, Michel Lacoste. Bernard died in Paris on March 21, 2006. Lacoste licenses its trademark to various companies. Until recently Devanlay owned the exclusive worldwide clothing license, though today Lacoste Polo Shirts are also manufactured under licence in Thailand by ICC and also in China. has the exclusive worldwide license to produce Lacoste footwear, Procter & Gamble owns the exclusive worldwide license to produce fragrance, and CEMALAC holds the license to produce Lacoste bags and small leather goods.

In June 2007, Lacoste introduced their very first e-commerce site[4] for the U.S. market.

Hayden Christensen is the face of the Challenge fragrance for men. [edit] Brand management

In the early '50s, Bernard Lacoste teamed up with David Crystal, who at the time owned Izod, to produce Izod Lacoste clothing. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was extremely popular with teenagers who called the shirts simply Izod. While the union was both profitable and popular, Izod Lacoste's parent company (David Crystal Co.) was saddled with debt from other business ventures. When attempts to separate Izod and Lacoste to create revenue did not alleviate the debt, Crystal sold his half of Lacoste back to the French and Izod was sold to Van Heusen.

However, starting in 2000, with the hiring of a new fashion designer Christophe Lemaire, Lacoste began to take over control of its brand name and logo, reigning in their branding arrangements. Currently Lacoste has once again returned to the elite status it held before a brand management crisis circa 1990.

Lacoste had a long standing dispute over the logo and clothing lines with Crocodile Garments. Crocodile Garments uses a crocodile logo that faces left while Lacoste uses one that faces right. The two fought for the logo rights in China, which ended in a commercial compromise. Crocodile Garments agreed to change its logo to have a tail which rises more or less vertically, skin which is much more scaly and bigger eyes.[5] [edit] Retailers of the brand

Lacoste store in Vaňkovka, Brno Lacoste operates a large number of Lacoste boutiques worldwide; located as concessions in leading department stores and also as independent venue stores. In the United Kingdom, Lacoste is available from many leading high-end shops including KJ Beckett and John Lewis Partnership. Likewise in the United States, the Lacoste brand can be found in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Belk, Halls, and other independent retailers. In Canada, Lacoste is sold at Harry Rosen, its own boutiques, and other independent retailers. In Australia, it is sold at David Jones, and Myer.

As of June 2007, Lacoste's online presence allows Americans to purchase clothing and have items shipped directly to their doors. The online store offers sizes and options not found in brick and mortar stores, along with a large sale section. [edit] Controversies

[edit] Environmental Practices

In July 2011, Lacoste - along with other major sportswear brands including Nike, Adidas and Abercrombie & Fitch - was the subject of a report by the environmental group Greenpeace entitled 'Dirty Laundry'. Lacoste is accused of working with suppliers in China who, according the findings of the report, contribute to the pollution of the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers. Samples taken from one facility belonging to the Youngor Group located on the Yangtze River Delta and another belonging to the Well Dyeing Factory Ltd. located on a tributary of the Pearl River Delta revealed the presence of hazardous and persistent hormone disruptor chemicals, including alkylphenols, perfluorinated compounds and perfluorooctane sulfonate.[6]

[edit] Censorship of Palestinian Art

In December 2011 Lacoste was accused of censoring the work of Palestinian artist Larissa Sansour. Sansour had initially been included on a shortlist of eight nominees for the prestigious Lacoste Elysee prize – a competitoin which had been organized by the Musée de l‘Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland with Lacoste‘s sponsorship. Sansour‘s entry into the competition was entitled ―Nation Estate‖ which involved a series of ―dystopic sci-fi images based on Palestine‘s admission to UNESCO‖. In this work Sansour imagines the state contained within a single skyscraper, with each floor representing a replica of ―lost cities‖ including Jerusalem, Ramallah and Sansour‘s own hometown of Bethlehem.

A month before the selection jury was to meet to choose the winner, however, the Musée de l‘Elysée informed Sansour that Lacoste had changed its mind about including her work in the competition and asked the Museum to remove her as a nominee citing her work to be ―too pro- Palestinian‖.

Sansour soon went public with her story and within 48 hours the Musée de l‘Elysée came out in her support announcing, in a press release,[7] that it had decided to suspend its relationship with Lacoste as a sponsor of this prize due to its insistence to exclude Sansour from the competition. The museum emphasized that its decision to end the competition was in line with the organization‘s 25 years of commitment to artistic freedom.[8] Lacoste‘s attempt to censor Sansour‘s work led to widespread international negative media reports on the company‘s actions and renewed discussions on the role of private sector companies in art sponsorships.[9][10] [edit] See also

 Croc O' Shirt  Crocodile Garments  Izod  Izod Lacoste  Lacoste Essential (fragrance) [edit] References

1. ^ "Lacoste Logo: Design and History". Famouslogos.us. Retrieved 2011-07-29. 2. ^ Lacoste history[dead link] 3. ^ "LaCoste". Vintage Fashion Guild. 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2011-11-21. 4. ^ "Lacoste Shop". Shop.lacoste.com. Retrieved 2011-11-21. 5. ^ Brown, Andrew (2003-10-31). "Crocodile tears end logo fight". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 6. ^ Greenpeace.Dirty Laundry: Unravelling the corporate connections to toxic water pollution in China. 7. ^ http://www.larissasansour.com/Musee%20de%20l'Elysee%20Press%20release%2021.12. 2011.pdf 8. ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/lacoste-accused-of- attempting-to-censor-too-propalestinian-art-6280082.html 9. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16299688 10. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/dec/22/lacoste-palestinian-elysee-art- prize [edit] External links

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 Lee History

Lee Mercantile Company was founded by Henry David Lee in 1889, when Lee opened his first garment factory in Salina, Kansas, producing dungarees and .  In 1913, the Union-All work jumpsuit was created, followed by the first-ever "Overall" in 1920 - laying the foundation for Lee's early growth. Also in 1920, the Buddy Lee doll was launched for promotional use, but quickly became a popular play doll.  Through the '20s, Lee introduced many new innovations to manufactured denim, most notably the zipper fly. Throughout the '30s and '40s Lee continued to build on their brand, becoming the nation's #1 manufacturer of work clothes.  The decade of the '50s was a time of intense expansion for Lee as the company ventured into . Lee expanded its presence throughout the '60s, spreading to 51 countries and consolidating with VF Corporation in 1969.  The company continued to expand its fashion lines throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s, launching Lee National Denim Day® in 1996. Today's Lee is all about bringing more fits, styles, finishes, features and choices than ever before to market.

View Lee history experience Nike, Inc.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Nike, Inc) Nike, Inc.

Type Public company NYSE: NKE

Traded as S&P 500 Component Industry Clothing and Sports equipment Founded 1964 (as Blue Ribbon Sports)[1] Founder(s) Philip Knight Washington County, Oregon, Headquarters United States (Near Beaverton, Oregon) Area served Worldwide Philip Knight (Chairman) Key people (President and CEO) Athletic shoes Products Apparel Sports equipment Accessories Revenue US$ 19.014 billion (FY 2010)[2] Operating US$ 2.517 billion (FY 2010)[2] income [2]

Net income US$ 1.907 billion (FY 2010) [2]

Total assets US$ 14.419 billion (FY 2010) [2]

Total equity US$ 9.754 billion (FY 2010) Employees 34,400 (May 2010)[2]

Website Nike.com

Nike, Inc. ( /ˈnaɪkiː/; NYSE: NKE) is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area. It is the world's leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel[3] and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of US$18.6 billion in its fiscal year 2008 (ending May 31, 2008). As of 2008, it employed more than 30,000 people worldwide. Nike and Precision Castparts are the only Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state of Oregon, according to The Oregonian.

The company was founded on January 25, 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight,[1] and officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1978. The company takes its name from Nike (Greek Νίκη, pronounced [nǐːkɛː]), the Greek goddess of victory. Nike markets its products under its own brand, as well as Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike+, , , and subsidiaries including , , and . Nike also owned (later renamed Nike Bauer) between 1995 and 2008.[4] In addition to manufacturing sportswear and equipment, the company operates retail stores under the Niketown name. Nike sponsors many high profile athletes and sports teams around the world, with the highly recognized trademarks of "" and the logo.

Contents

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 1 Origins and history o 1.1 Acquisitions  2 Products  3 Headquarters  4 Manufacturing o 4.1 concerns . 4.1.1 Sweatshops . 4.1.2 China Olympics  5 Environmental record  6 Marketing strategy o 6.1 Advertising . 6.1.1 Beatles song . 6.1.2 Minor Threat advertisement . 6.1.3 Chinese-themed advertisement . 6.1.4 Nike 6.0 o 6.2 Sponsorship  7 See also  8 References  9 Further reading  10 External links

Origins and history

Nike, originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS), was founded by University of Oregon track athlete Philip Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman in January 1964. The company initially operated as a distributor for Japanese shoe maker (now ASICS), making most sales at track meets out of Knight's automobile.[5]

The company's profits grew quickly, and, in 1967, BRS opened its first retail store, located on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. By 1971, the relationship between BRS and Onitsuka Tiger was nearing an end. BRS prepared to launch its own line of footwear, which would bear the Swoosh newly designed by Carolyn Davidson.[6] The Swoosh was first used by Nike on June 18, 1971, and was registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on January 22, 1974.[7]

The first shoe sold to the public to carry this design was a soccer shoe named Nike, which was released in the summer of 1971. In February 1972, BRS introduced its first line of Nike shoes, with the name derived from the Greek goddess of victory. In 1978, BRS, Inc. officially renamed itself to Nike, Inc. Beginning with Ilie Năstase, the first professional athlete to sign with BRS/Nike, the sponsorship of athletes became a key marketing tool for the rapidly growing company.

The company's first self-designed product was based on Bowerman's "waffle" design. After the University of Oregon resurfaced the track at Hayward Field, Bowerman began experimenting with different potential outsoles that would grip the new urethane track more effectively. His efforts were rewarded one Sunday morning when he poured liquid urethane into his wife's waffle iron. Bowerman developed and refined the so-called "waffle" sole, which would evolve into the now-iconic Waffle Trainer in 1974.

By 1980, Nike had attained a 50% market share in the U.S. athletic shoe market, and the company went public in December of that year.[8] Its growth was due largely to "word-of-foot" advertising (to quote a Nike print ad from the late 1970s), rather than television ads. Nike's first national television commercials ran in October 1982, during the broadcast of the New York Marathon. The ads were created by Portland-based advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, which had formed several months earlier in April. Together, Nike and Wieden+Kennedy have created many print and television advertisements, and Wieden+Kennedy remains Nike's primary ad agency. It was agency co-founder Dan Wieden who coined the now-famous slogan "Just Do It" for a 1988 Nike ad campaign, which was chosen by Advertising Age as one of the top five ad slogans of the 20th century and enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution.[8] Walt Stack was featured in Nike's first "Just Do It" advertisement, which debuted on July 1, 1988.[9] Wieden credits the inspiration for the slogan to "Let‘s do it", the last words spoken by Gary Gilmore before he was executed.[10]

Throughout the 1980s, Nike expanded its product line to encompass many sports and regions throughout the world.[11]

Acquisitions

As of November 2008, Nike, Inc. owns four key subsidiaries: Cole Haan, Hurley International, Converse Inc. and Umbro. Nike's first acquisition was the upscale footwear company Cole Haan in 1988. In February 2002, Nike bought surf apparel company Hurley International from founder Bob Hurley.[12] In July 2003, Nike paid US$309 million to acquire Converse Inc., makers of the iconic Chuck Taylor All Stars .[13] On March 3, 2008, Nike acquired sports apparel supplier Umbro, known as the manufacturers of the England national football team's kit, in a deal said to be worth £285 million (about US$600 million).[14] Other subsidiaries previously owned and subsequently sold by Nike include Bauer Hockey and .[15] Products

A Nike brand athletic shoe

A pair of Nike Air Jordan I basketball shoes Nike produces a wide range of sports equipment. Their first products were track running shoes. They currently also make shoes, jerseys, shorts, baselayers, etc. for a wide range of sports, including track and field, baseball, , tennis, association football (soccer), lacrosse, basketball, and cricket. is a line of shoes first released by Nike, Inc. in 1987. The most recent additions to their line are the Nike 6.0, Nike NYX, and Nike SB shoes, designed for skateboarding. Nike has recently introduced cricket shoes called Air Zoom Yorker, designed to be 30% lighter than their competitors'.[16] In 2008, Nike introduced the Air Jordan XX3, a high- performance basketball shoe designed with the environment in mind.

Nike sells an assortment of products, including shoes and apparel for sports activities like association football,[17] basketball, running, combat sports, tennis, American football, athletics, golf, and cross training for men, women, and children. Nike also sells shoes for outdoor activities such as tennis, golf, skateboarding, association football, baseball, American football, cycling, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, aquatic activities, , and other athletic and recreational uses. Nike is well known and popular in youth culture, chav culture and hip hop culture for their supplying of urban fashion clothing. Nike recently teamed up with Apple Inc. to produce the Nike+ product that monitors a runner's performance via a radio device in the shoe that links to the iPod nano. While the product generates useful statistics, it has been criticized by researchers who were able to identify users' RFID devices from 60 feet (18 m) away using small, concealable intelligence motes in a wireless sensor network.[18][19]

In 2004, they launched the SPARQ Training Program/Division.[citation needed]

Some of Nike's newest shoes contain Flywire and Lunarlite Foam to reduce weight.[20]

On July 15, 2009, the Nike+ Sports Band was released in stores. The product records distance run and calories expended, keeps time, and also gives runners new programs online they could try running.[clarification needed]

The 2010 Nike Pro Combat jersey collection will be worn by teams from the following universities: Miami, Alabama, Boise State, Florida, Ohio State, Oregon State, Texas Christian University, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh. Teams will wear these jerseys in key matchups as well as any time the athletic department deems it necessary.[21] Headquarters

Nike's world headquarters are surrounded by the city of Beaverton, but are within unincorporated Washington County. The city attempted to forcibly annex Nike's headquarters, which led to a lawsuit by Nike, and lobbying by the company that ultimately ended in Oregon Senate Bill 887 of 2005. Under that bill's terms, Beaverton is specifically barred from forcibly annexing the land that Nike and occupy in Washington County for 35 years, while Electro Scientific Industries and Tektronix receive the same protection for 30 years.[22] Manufacturing Nike has contracted with more than 700 shops around the world and has offices located in 45 countries outside the United States.[23] Most of the factories are located in Asia, including Indonesia, China, Taiwan, India[24], Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Philippines, and Malaysia.[25] Nike is hesitant to disclose information about the contract companies it works with. However, due to harsh criticism from some organizations like CorpWatch, Nike has disclosed information about its contract factories in its Corporate Governance Report.

Human rights concerns

Sweatshops

Nike has been criticized for contracting with factories (known as Nike sweatshops) in countries such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mexico. Vietnam Labor , an activist group, has documented that factories contracted by Nike have violated minimum wage and overtime laws in Vietnam as late as 1996, although Nike claims that this practice has been stopped.[26] The company has been subject to much critical coverage of the often poor working conditions and exploitation of cheap overseas labor employed in the free trade zones where their goods are typically manufactured. Sources for this criticism include Naomi Klein's book No Logo and Michael Moore documentaries.

During the 1990s, Nike faced criticism for the use of child labor in and Pakistan in factories it contracted to manufacture soccer balls. Although Nike took action to curb or at least reduce the practice, they continue to contract their production to companies that operate in areas where inadequate regulation and monitoring make it hard to ensure that child labor is not being used.[27]

In 2001, a BBC documentary uncovered occurrences of child labor and poor working conditions in a Cambodian factory used by Nike.[28] The documentary focused on six girls, who all worked seven days a week, often 16 hours a day.

Campaigns have been taken up by many colleges and universities, especially anti-globalisation groups, as well as several anti- groups such as the United Students Against Sweatshops.[29] Despite these campaigns, however, Nike's annual revenues have increased from US$6.4 billion in 1996 to nearly US$17 billion in 2007, according to the company's annual reports.

A July 2008 investigation by Australian Channel 7 News found a large number of cases involving forced labour in one of the largest Nike apparel factories. The factory located in Malaysia was filmed by an undercover crew who found instances of squalid living conditions and forced labour. Nike have since stated that they will take corrective action to ensure the abuse does not continue.[30]

As of July 2011, Nike stated that two-thirds of its factories producing Converse products still do not meet the company's standards for worker treatment. A July 2011 Associated Press article stated that employees at the company's plants in Indonesia reported constant abuse from supervisors.[31] China Olympics

Nike also caused controversy during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, when their sponsored Chinese athlete, Liu Xiang, withdrew from the Olympic 110 metre hurdles, leaving the track after a false start by another competitor. Liu claimed that he withdrew due an ankle injury.[32] However, an anonymous message was posted on the internet, purportedly from a source close to Nike, claiming that the corporation had forced Liu to withdraw as he was unlikely to win, thereby tarnishing their image. Nike responded by announcing that "we have immediately asked relevant [Chinese] government departments to investigate those that started the rumour".[33] Environmental record

Nike tries to counteract the detrimental effect with different projects. According to the New England-based environmental organization Clean Air-Cool Planet, Nike ranks among the top three companies (out of 56) in a survey of climate-friendly companies.[34] Nike has also been praised for its program (which closes the product lifecycle) by groups like Climate Counts.[35] One campaign that Nike began for Earth Day 2008 was a commercial that featured basketball star Steve Nash wearing Nike's Trash Talk Shoe, which had been constructed in February 2008 from pieces of leather and synthetic leather waste from factory floors. The Trash Talk Shoe also featured a sole composed of ground-up rubber from a shoe recycling program. Nike claims this is the first performance basketball shoe that has been created from manufacturing waste, but it only produced 5,000 pairs for sale.[36]

Another project Nike has begun is called Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program. This program, started in 1993, is Nike's longest-running program that benefits both the environment and the community by collecting old athletic shoes of any type in order to process and recycle them. The material that is produced is then used to help create sports surfaces such as basketball courts, running tracks, and playgrounds.[37]

A project through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found workers were exposed to toxic isocyanates and other chemicals in footwear factories in Thailand. In addition to inhalation, dermal exposure was the biggest problem found. This could result in allergic reactions including asthmatic reactions.[38][39] Marketing strategy

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged

and removed. (July 2007)

Nike promotes its products by sponsorship agreements with celebrity athletes, professional teams and college athletic teams. However, Nike's marketing mix contains many elements besides promotion. These are summarized below.

Advertising In 1982, Nike aired its first national television ads, created by newly formed ad agency Wieden+Kennedy (W+K), during the broadcast of the New York Marathon. This was the beginning of a successful partnership between Nike and W+K that remains intact today. The Cannes Advertising Festival has named Nike its Advertiser of the Year in 1994 and 2003, making it the first and only company to receive that honor twice.[40]

Nike also has earned the Emmy Award for best commercial twice since the award was first created in the 1990s. The first was for "The Morning After," a satirical look at what a runner might face on the morning of January 1, 2000 if every dire prediction about the Y2K problem came to fruition.[41] The second was for a 2002 spot called "Move," which featured a series of famous and everyday athletes in a variety of athletic pursuits.[42]

In addition to garnering awards, however, Nike advertising has generated its fair share of controversy.

Beatles song

Nike was criticized for its use of the Beatles song "Revolution" in a 1987 commercial against the wishes of Apple Records, the Beatles' recording company. Nike paid US$250,000 to Capitol Records Inc., which held the North American licensing rights to the recordings, for the right to use the Beatles' rendition for a year.

Apple sued Nike Inc., Capitol Records Inc., EMI Records Inc. and Wieden+Kennedy for $15 million.[43] Capitol-EMI countered by saying the lawsuit was "groundless" because Capitol had licensed the use of "Revolution" with the "active support and encouragement of Yoko Ono Lennon, a shareholder and director of Apple."

According to a November 9, 1989 article in the Los Angeles Daily News, "a tangle of lawsuits between the Beatles and their American and British record companies has been settled." One condition of the out-of-court settlement was that terms of the agreement would be kept secret. The settlement was reached among the three parties involved: surviving Beatles George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr; Yoko Ono; and Apple, EMI and Capitol Records. A spokesman for Yoko Ono noted, "It's such a confusing myriad of issues that even people who have been close to the principals have a difficult time grasping it. Attorneys on both sides of the Atlantic have probably put their children through college on this."

Nike discontinued airing ads featuring "Revolution" in March 1988. Yoko Ono later gave permission to Nike to use John Lennon's "Instant Karma" in another advertisement.

Minor Threat advertisement

In late June 2005, Nike received criticism from Ian MacKaye, owner of Dischord Records, guitarist/vocalist for Fugazi and The Evens, and front man of the defunct punk band Minor Threat, for appropriating imagery and text from Minor Threat's 1981 self-titled album's cover art in a flyer promoting Nike Skateboarding's 2005 East Coast demo tour. On June 27, Nike Skateboarding's website issued an apology to Dischord, Minor Threat, and fans of both and announced that they have tried to remove and dispose of all flyers. They stated that the people who designed it were skateboarders and Minor Threat fans themselves who created the advertisement out of respect and appreciation for the band.[44] The dispute was eventually settled out of court between Nike and Minor Threat. The exact details of the settlement have never been disclosed.

Chinese-themed advertisement

Niketown at Oxford Street, London

Rafael Nadal is currently sponsored by Nike, Inc. (Note the swoosh on Nadal's attire)

In 2004, an ad about LeBron James beating cartoon martial arts masters and slaying a Chinese dragon with martial arts offended Chinese authorities,[who?] who called the ad blasphemous and insulting to national dignity and to the dragon. The advertisement was later banned in China. In early 2007, the ad was reinstated in China for unknown reasons.[45]

Nike 6.0

The company rolled out a new campaign in June 2011 called "Nike 6.0" that was aimed at extreme sport athletes. As part of the campaign, Nike introduced a new line of T-shirts that include phrases such as "Dope", "Get High" and "Ride Pipe" – sports lingo that is also a double entendre for drug use. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino expressed his objection to the shirts after seeing them in a window display at the city's Niketown and asked the store to remove the display. "What we don't need is a major corporation like Nike, which tries to appeal to the younger generation, out there giving credence to the drug issue," Menino told The Boston Herald. A company official stated the shirts were meant exclusively to pay homage to extreme sports, and that Nike does not condone the illegal use of drugs.[46] Nike was forced to replace the shirt line.[47]

Sponsorship

Main article: List of Nike sponsorships

Nike pays top athletes in many sports to use their products and promote and advertise their technology and design.

Nike's first professional athlete endorser was Romanian tennis player Ilie Năstase. The first track endorser was distance runner Steve Prefontaine. Prefontaine was the prized pupil of the company's co-founder, Bill Bowerman, while he coached at the University of Oregon. Today, the Steve Prefontaine Building is named in his honor at Nike's corporate headquarters.

Besides Prefontaine, Nike has also sponsored many other successful track and field athletes over the years, such as Carl Lewis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Sebastian Coe. However, it is the signing of basketball player Michael Jordan in 1984, with his subsequent promotion of Nike over the course of his storied career, with Spike Lee as Blackmon, that proved to be one of the biggest boosts to Nike's publicity and sales.

During the past 20 years especially, Nike has been one of the major clothing and footwear sponsors for leading tennis players. Some of the more successful tennis players currently or formerly sponsored include: James Blake, Jim Courier, Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Martín del Potro, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Pete Sampras, Marion Bartoli, Lindsay Davenport, Daniela Hantuchová, Mary Pierce, Maria Sharapova, and Serena Williams.

Nike was the official kit sponsor for the Indian cricket team for five years, from 2006 until the end of 2010. Nike beat Adidas and Puma by bidding US$43 million.[48][49]

Nike sponsors some of the leading clubs in world football, including the national teams of India, France, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, the United States, and Malaysia.

Some of the world's top golf players are sponsored by Nike, among them Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Lucas Glover, Michelle Wie, Trevor Immelman, and Paul Casey.

Nike also sponsors various minor events including Hoop It Up (high school basketball) and The Golden West Invitational (high school track and field). Nike uses web sites as a promotional tool to cover these events. Nike also has several websites for individual sports, including nikebasketball.com, nikefootball.com, and nikerunning.com. Nike is a major sponsor of athletic programs at Penn State and has decided not to abandon that relationship in the wake of the Penn State sex abuse scandal.[50] See also

Companies portal

Oregon portal

United States portal

 Nike sweatshops  List of companies of the United States  List of swimwear brands References

1. ^ a b Nikebiz : Company Overview : History : 1960s, Nike, Inc., Retrieved on August 12, 2010. 2. ^ a b c d e f "2010 Form 10-K, Nike, Inc.". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 3. ^ Sage, Alexandria (June 26, 2008). "Nike profit up but shares tumble on U.S. concerns". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-07-10. 4. ^ "Nike sells Bauer Hockey for $200 Million". The Sports Network. February 21, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2008-06-02. 5. ^ "Company Overview : History : 1950s". Nikebiz. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 6. ^ "Logos that became legends: Icons from the world of advertising". The Independent (London). 2008-01-04. Retrieved 2010-02-11. 7. ^ "Registration Number 72414177". TESS. U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Retrieved February 11, 2010. 8. ^ a b "Company Overview : History : 1970s". Nikebiz. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 9. ^ "Nike's 'Just Do It' slogan celebrates 20 years | Oregon Business News". OregonLive.com. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 10. ^ Peters, Jeremy W. (August 19, 2009). "The Birth of 'Just Do It' and Other Magic Words". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-30. 11. ^ Nike Origins[dead link] 12. ^ "Daily Grind – Nike buys Hurley". Surfline. 2002-02-22. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 13. ^ Partlow, Joshua (July, 2003). "Nike Drafts An All Star". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-06-02. 14. ^ "Nike to buy Umbro – Portland Business Journal:". Portland.bizjournals.com. 2007-10- 23. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 15. ^ "Nike unloads Starter for $60M – Portland Business Journal:". Portland.bizjournals.com. 2007-11-15. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 16. ^ "Nike launches cricket shoe Air Zoom Yorker". The Hindu Business Line. September 2, 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-02. 17. ^ "Nike Air Zoom Control II FS Futsal Shoes at Soccer Pro". Soccerpro.com. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 18. ^ T. Scott Saponas, Jonathan Lester, Carl Hartung, Tadayoshi Kohno. "Devices That Tell On You: The Nike+iPod Sport Kit". 19. ^ Tom Espiner (2006-12-13). "Nike+iPod raises RFID privacy concerns". CNet. 20. ^ "Latest materials improve sportswear performance". ICIS Chemical Business. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 21. ^ "Nike Pro Combat Jersey Info". WVU Sports Insider. September 1, 2010. 22. ^ "Appellate court rejects Beaverton annexation | The Oregonian Extra". Blog.oregonlive.com. 2006-06-16. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 23. ^ NikeBiz | Investors | Corporate[dead link] 24. ^ "India's 50 most trusted brands". rediff.com. 2011-01-20. 25. ^ [1][dead link] 26. ^ Nike Labor Practices in Vietnam[dead link] 27. ^ "MIT" (PDF). Retrieved September 18, 2010. 28. ^ Sun Thyda, 12 (2000-10-15). "Programmes | Panorama | Archive | Gap and Nike: No Sweat? October 15, 2000". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 29. ^ "Sweatfree Campus Campaign Launch". Studentsagainstsweatshops.org. 2005-09-28. Retrieved September 18, 2010. 30. ^ "YouTube – Nike Contractor in Malaysia using forced labour". Youtube. Retrieved September 18, 2010. 31. ^ Associated Press, "Nike still dogged by worker abuses", Japan Times, July 15, 2011, p. 4. 32. ^ Coonan, Clifford (2008-08-18). "Heartbreak for China as hero limps out before first hurdle". The Independent (London). 33. ^ Marina Hyde in Beijing (2008-08-22). "Olympics: How does Nike feel about conspiracy theories? No comment | Sport | The Guardian". London: Blogs.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 34. ^ Zabarenko, Deborah (2007-06-19). "Reuters report". Reuters. Retrieved September 18, 2010. 35. ^ "Nike". ClimateCounts. Retrieved September 18, 2010. 36. ^ [2][dead link] April 23, 2008. Retrieved: May 4, 2008 37. ^ Wicked Local, April 29, 2008, retrieved May 4, 2008 38. ^ Todd, L. A.; Sitthichok, T. P.; Mottus, K.; Mihlan, G.; Wing, S. (2008), "Health Survey of Workers Exposed to Mixed Solvent and Ergonomic Hazards in Footwear and Equipment Factory Workers in Thailand", Annals of Occupational Hygiene 52 (3): 195– 205, doi:10.1093/annhyg/men003 39. ^ Todd, L. A.; Mottus, K.; Mihlan, G. J. (2008), "A Survey of Airborne and Skin Exposures to Chemicals in Footwear and Equipment Factories in Thailand", Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 5 (3): 169–181, doi:10.1080/15459620701853342 40. ^ "Nike's Knight Is Advertiser of the Year | Marketing & Advertising > Marketing & Advertising Overview from". AllBusiness.com. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 41. ^ Fass, Allison (2000-08-31). "The Media Business - Advertising - Addenda - The Media Business - Advertising - Addenda - Nike Spot Wins An Emmy Award". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 42. ^ Rutenberg, Jim (2002-09-20). "The Media Business - Advertising - Addenda - The Media Business - Advertising - Addenda - Nike Spot Wins An Emmy Award". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 43. ^ According to a July 28, 1987 article written by the Associated Press. 44. ^ "Skateboarding". Nike. Retrieved September 18, 2010. 45. ^ Sandoval, Greg (December 7, 2004). "China Bans LeBron James Nike Ad". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-06-02. 46. ^ Brettman, Allan (June 22, 2011). "Nike courts controversy, publicity with drug-themed skater shirts". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2011-06-24. 47. ^ "Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE) Facing Slogan Backlash". stocksandshares.tv. June 24, 2011. 48. ^ Team India's new NIKE ODI kit 49. ^ Indian Cricket team's NIKE ODI kit 50. ^ Richard Thomaselli, "Penn State Sponsors Start to Flee in Wake of Sex Abuse Scandal", Advertising Age, 11 November 2011 Further reading

 Egan, Timothy (September 13, 1998). "The swoon of the swoosh". New York Times Magazine. External links

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 McDonald's

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia McDonald's

Type Public NYSE: MCD

Traded as Dow Jones Industrial Average Component Industry Restaurants May 15, 1940 in San Bernardino, California; Founded McDonald's Corporation, April 15, 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois Richard and Maurice McDonald McDonald's restaurant concept; Founder(s) , McDonald's Corporation founder. Headquarters Oak Brook, Illinois, U.S. Number of 33,000+ worldwide[1] locations Area served Worldwide

Key people James A. Skinner (Chairman & CEO) Fast food (hamburgers • chicken • french Products fries • soft drinks • coffee • milkshakes • salads • desserts • breakfast) [2] Revenue US$ 24.075 billion (2010) Operating US$ 7.473 billion (2010)[2] income [2]

Net income US$ 4.949 billion (2010) [2]

Total assets US$ 31.975 billion (2010) [2]

Total equity US$ 14.634 billion (2010) Employees 400,000 (January 2010)[2] Global Corporate Website This box:

Website  view  talk  edit

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries.[3][4] Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948 they reorganized their business as a hamburger stand using production line principles. Businessman Ray Kroc joined the company as a franchise agent in 1955. He subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers and oversaw its worldwide growth.[5]

A McDonald's restaurant is operated by either a franchisee, an affiliate, or the corporation itself. The corporation's revenues come from the rent, royalties and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants. McDonald's revenues grew 27 percent over the three years ending in 2007 to $22.8 billion, and 9 percent growth in operating income to $3.9 billion.[6]

McDonald's primarily sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken, french fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, shakes and desserts. In response to changing consumer tastes, the company has expanded its menu to include salads, wraps, smoothies and fruit.[7]

Contents

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 1 History  2 Corporate overview o 2.1 Facts and figures o 2.2 Types of restaurants o 2.3 Playgrounds o 2.4 Redesign o 2.5 Business model o 2.6 Shareholder dividends  3 Controversies o 3.1 Arguments in defense o 3.2 Environmental record  4 Legal cases  5 Products  6 Headquarters  7 Advertising o 7.1 Children's advertising o 7.2 Sports awards and honors  8 Global operations  9 McHappy Day  10 Cultural references  11 See also o 11.1 Competitors  12 References  13 Further reading  14 External links

History

The oldest operating McDonald's restaurant is the third one built, in Downey, California, which opened in 1953.

"Speedee", the former mascot of McDonald's before his replacement by Ronald McDonald.

Concept version of Ronald McDonald. Main article: History of McDonald's The business began in 1940, with a restaurant opened by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. Their introduction of the "Speedee Service System" in 1948 furthered the principles of the modern fast-food restaurant that the White Castle hamburger chain had already put into practice more than two decades earlier. The original mascot of McDonald's was a man with a chef's on top of a hamburger shaped head whose name was "Speedee." Speedee was eventually replaced with Ronald McDonald by 1967 when the company first filed a U.S. trademark on a clown shaped man having puffed out legs.

McDonald's first filed for a U.S. trademark on the name "McDonald's" on May 4, 1961, with the description "Drive-In Restaurant Services," which continues to be renewed through the end of December 2009. In the same year, on September 13, 1961, the company filed a logo trademark on an overlapping, double arched "M" symbol. The overlapping double arched "M" symbol logo was temporarily disfavored by September 6, 1962, when a trademark was filed for a single arch, shaped over many of the early McDonald's restaurants in the early years. Although the "" appeared in various forms, the present form as a letter "M" did not appear until November 18, 1968, when the company applied for a U.S. trademark.

McDonald's corporate logo used from 1968 to 2006. It still exists at some restaurants.

The present corporation dates its founding to the opening of a franchised restaurant by Ray Kroc, in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 15, 1955,[8] the ninth McDonald's restaurant overall. Kroc later purchased the McDonald brothers' equity in the company and led its worldwide expansion, and the company became listed on the public stock markets in 1965.[9] Kroc was also noted for aggressive business practices, compelling the McDonald brothers to leave the fast food industry. The McDonald brothers and Kroc feuded over control of the business, as documented in both Kroc's autobiography and in the McDonald brothers' autobiography. The site of the McDonald brothers' original restaurant is now a monument.[10]

With the expansion of McDonald's into many international markets, the company has become a symbol of globalization and the spread of the American way of life. Its prominence has also made it a frequent topic of public debates about obesity, corporate ethics and consumer responsibility. Corporate overview

Facts and figures

By 1993, McDonald's had sold more than 100 billion hamburgers. The once-ubiquitous restaurant signs that boasted the number of sales, such as this one in Harlem, were left at "99 billion" as there was only space for two digits.

McDonald's restaurants are found in 119 countries[11] and territories around the world and serve 58 million customers each day.[3] McDonald's operates over 31,000 restaurants worldwide, employing more than 1.5 million people.[11] The company also operates other restaurant brands, such as Piles Café.

Focusing on its core brand, McDonald's began divesting itself of other chains it had acquired during the 1990s. The company owned a majority stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill until October 2006, when McDonald's fully divested from Chipotle through a stock exchange.[12][13] Until December 2003, it also owned Donatos Pizza. On August 27, 2007, McDonald's sold Boston Market to Sun Capital Partners.[14]

Types of restaurants

Most standalone McDonald's restaurants offer both counter service and drive-through service, with indoor and sometimes outdoor seating. Drive-Thru, Auto-Mac, Pay and Drive, or "McDrive" as it is known in many countries, often has separate stations for placing, paying for, and picking up orders, though the latter two steps are frequently combined; it was first introduced in Arizona in 1975, following the lead of other fast-food chains. The first such restaurant in Britain opened at Fallowfield, Manchester in 1986.[15]

In some countries, "McDrive" locations near highways offer no counter service or seating. In contrast, locations in high-density city neighborhoods often omit drive-through service. There are also a few locations, located mostly in downtown districts, that offer Walk-Thru service in place of Drive-Thru. To accommodate the current trend for high quality coffee and the popularity of coffee shops in general, McDonald's introduced McCafé, a café-style accompaniment to McDonald's restaurants in the style of Starbucks. McCafé is a concept created by McDonald's Australia, starting with Melbourne in 1993. Today, most McDonald's in Australia have McCafés located within the existing McDonald's restaurant. In Tasmania, there are McCafés in every store, with the rest of the states quickly following suit. After upgrading to the new McCafé look and feel, some Australian stores have noticed up to a 60% increase in sales. As of the end of 2003 there were over 600 McCafés worldwide.

Some locations are connected to gas stations/convenience stores,[16] while others called McExpress have limited seating and/or menu or may be located in a shopping mall. Other McDonald's are located in Wal-Mart stores. McStop is a location targeted at truckers and travelers which may have services found at truck stops.[17]

Since 1997, the only Kosher McDonald's in the world that is not in Israel, is located in the "Abasto de Buenos Aires", Argentina.[18][19]

Playgrounds

McDonald's in Panorama City, Los Angeles, California designed for family-friendly image

Some McDonald's in suburban areas and certain cities feature large indoor or outdoor playgrounds. The first PlayPlace with the familiar crawl-tube design with ball pits and slides was introduced in 1987 in the USA, with many more being constructed soon after. Some PlayPlace playgrounds have been renovated into "R Gym" areas.

Redesign

McDonald's in Exeter, UK. This is an example of the new look of McDonald's in Europe.

In 2006, McDonald's introduced its "Forever Young" brand by redesigning all of its restaurants, the first major redesign since the 1970s.[20][21]

The design includes the traditional McDonald's yellow and red colors, but the red is muted to terra cotta, the yellow was turned golden for a more "sunny" look, and olive and sage green were also added. To warm up its look, the restaurants have less plastic and more brick and wood, with modern hanging lights to produce a softer glow. Contemporary art or framed photographs hang on the walls.

Business model

McDonald's Corporation earns revenue as an investor in properties, a franchiser of restaurants, and an operator of restaurants. Approximately 15% of McDonald's restaurants are owned and operated by McDonald's Corporation directly. The remainder are operated by others through a variety of franchise agreements and joint ventures. The McDonald's Corporation's business model is slightly different from that of most other fast-food chains. In addition to ordinary franchise fees and marketing fees, which are calculated as a percentage of sales, McDonald's may also collect rent, which may also be calculated on the basis of sales. As a condition of many franchise agreements, which vary by contract, age, country, and location, the Corporation may own or lease the properties on which McDonald's franchises are located. In most, if not all cases, the franchisee does not own the location of its restaurants.

The UK business model is different than the US, in that fewer than 30% of restaurants are franchised, with the majority under the ownership of the company. McDonald's trains its franchisees and others at in Oak Brook, Illinois.

In other countries, McDonald's restaurants are operated by joint ventures of McDonald's Corporation and other, local entities or governments.

As a matter of policy, McDonald's does not make direct sales of food or materials to franchisees, instead organizing the supply of food and materials to restaurants through approved third party logistics operators.

According to by Eric Schlosser (2001), nearly one in eight workers in the U.S. have at some time been employed by McDonald's. (According to a news piece on Fox News this figure is one in ten.) The book also states that McDonald's is the largest private operator of playgrounds in the U.S., as well as the single largest purchaser of beef, pork, potatoes, and apples. The selection of meats McDonald's uses varies with the culture of the host country.[citation needed]

Shareholder dividends

McDonald's has increased shareholder dividends for 25 consecutive years,[22] making it one of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats.[23][24] Controversies

As a prominent example of the rapid globalization of the American fast food industry, McDonald's is often the target of criticism for its menu, its expansion, and its business practices. The McLibel Trial, also known as McDonald's Restaurants v Morris & Steel, is an example of this criticism. In 1990, activists from a small group known as London Greenpeace (no connection to the international group Greenpeace) distributed leaflets entitled What's wrong with McDonald's?, criticizing its environmental, health, and labor record. The corporation wrote to the group demanding they desist and apologize, and, when two of the activists refused to back down, sued them for libel in one of the longest cases in British civil law. A documentary film of the McLibel Trial has been shown in several countries.

Despite the objections of McDonald's, the term "McJob" was added to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary in 2003.[25] The term was defined as "a low-paying job that requires little skill and provides little opportunity for advancement".[26] In an open letter to Merriam-Webster, , former CEO of McDonald's, denounced the definition as a "slap in the face" to all restaurant employees, and stated that "a more appropriate definition of a 'McJob' might be 'teaches responsibility.'" Merriam-Webster responded that "we stand by the accuracy and appropriateness of our definition."[27]

In 1999, French anti-globalisation activist José Bové vandalized a half-built McDonald's to protest against the introduction of fast food in the region.[28]

In 2001, Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation included criticism of the business practices of McDonald's. Among the critiques were allegations that McDonald's (along with other companies within the fast food industry) uses its political influence to increase its profits at the expense of people's health and the social conditions of its workers. The book also brought into question McDonald's advertisement techniques in which it targets children. While the book did mention other fast-food chains, it focused primarily on McDonald's.

McDonald's is the world's largest distributor of toys, which it includes with kids meals.[29] It has been alleged that the use of popular toys encourages children to eat more McDonald's food, thereby contributing to many children's health problems, including a rise in obesity.[30]

In 2002, vegetarian groups, largely Hindu and Buddhist, successfully sued McDonald's for misrepresenting its French fries as vegetarian, when they contained beef broth.[31]

A PETA activist dressed as a chicken confronts the manager of the Times Square McDonald's over the company's animal welfare standards.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), continues to pressure McDonald's to change its animal welfare standards, in particular the method its suppliers use of slaughtering chickens.[32] Most processors in the United States shackle fully conscious birds upside down and run them through an electrically charged water tub before slitting their throats.[33] PETA argues that using gas to kill the birds (a method called "controlled atmosphere killing: or CAK) is less cruel.[34] Both CAK and "controlled atmosphere stunning" (CAS) are commonly used in Europe.[35]

Morgan Spurlock's 2004 documentary film said that McDonald's food was contributing to the epidemic of obesity in society, and that the company was failing to provide nutritional information about its food for its customers. Six weeks after the film premiered, McDonald's announced that it was eliminating the super size option, and was creating the adult .

The soya that is fed to McDonald‘s chickens is supplied by agricultural giant Cargill and comes directly from Brazil. Greenpeace alleges that not only is soya destroying the Amazon rain forest in Brazil, but soya farmers are guilty of further crimes including and the invasion of indigenous peoples‘ lands. The allegation is that McDonald's, as a client of Cargill's, is complicit in these activities.[36]

Arguments in defense

In response to public pressure, McDonald's has sought to include more healthy choices in its menu and has introduced a new slogan to its recruitment posters: "Not bad for a McJob".[37] (The word McJob, first attested in the mid-1980s[38] and later popularized by Canadian novelist Douglas Coupland in his book Generation X, has become a buzz word for low-paid, unskilled work with few prospects or benefits and little security.) McDonald's disputes this definition of McJob. In 2007, the company launched an advertising campaign with the slogan "Would you like a career with that?" on Irish television, outlining that its jobs have many prospects. In an effort to respond to growing consumer awareness of food provenance, the fast-food chain changed its supplier of both coffee beans and milk. UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: "British consumers are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of the food and drink they buy".[citation needed] In a bid to tap into the ethical consumer market,[39] McDonald's switched to using coffee beans taken from stocks that are certified by the Rainforest Alliance, a conservation group. Additionally, the company started using organic milk supplies for its hot drinks and milkshakes. According to a report published by Farmers Weekly in 2007, the quantity of milk used by McDonald's could have accounted for as much as 5% of the UK's organic milk output.[40]

McDonald's announced on May 22, 2008 that, in the U.S. and Canada, it would switch to using cooking oil that contains no trans fats for its french fries, and canola-based oil with corn and soy oils, for its baked items, pies and cookies, by year's end.[41][42]

With regard to acquiring chickens from suppliers who use CAK or CAS methods of slaughter, McDonald's says that it needs to see more research "to help determine whether any CAS system in current use is optimal from an animal welfare perspective."[43]

Environmental record

In April 2008, McDonald's announced that 11 of its Sheffield, England restaurants have been using a biomass trial that had cut its waste and carbon footprint by half in the area. In this trial, waste from the restaurants were collected by Veolia Environmental Services and used to produce energy at a power plant. McDonald's plans to expand this project, although the lack of biomass power plants in the U.S. will prevent this plan from becoming a national standard anytime soon.[44] In addition, in Europe, McDonald's has been recycling vegetable grease by converting it to fuel for its diesel trucks.[45]

Furthermore, McDonald's has been using a corn-based bioplastic to produce containers for some of its products. Although industries who use this product claim a carbon savings of 30% to 80%, a Guardian study shows otherwise. The results show that this type of plastic does not break down in landfills as efficiently as other conventional plastics. The extra energy it takes to recycle this plastic results in a higher output of greenhouse gases. Also, the plastics can contaminate waste streams, causing other recycled plastics to become unsaleable.[46]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized McDonald's continuous effort to reduce solid waste by designing more efficient packaging and by promoting the use of recycled- content materials.[47] McDonald's reports that it is committed towards environmental leadership by effectively managing electric energy, by conserving natural resources through recycling and reusing materials, and by addressing water management issues within the restaurant.[48]

In an effort to reduce energy usage by 25% in its restaurants, McDonald's opened a prototype restaurant in Chicago in 2009 with the intention of using the model in its other restaurants throughout the world. Building on past efforts, specifically a restaurant it opened in Sweden in 2000 that was the first to intentionally incorporate green ideas, McDonald's designed the Chicago site to save energy by incorporating old and new ideas such as managing storm water, using skylights for more natural lighting and installing some partitions and tabletops made from recycled goods.[49]

When McDonald‘s received criticism for its environmental policies in the 1970s, it began to make substantial progress towards source reductions efforts.[50] For instance, an ―average meal‖ in the 1970s—a , fries, and a drink—required 46 grams of packaging; today, it requires only 25 grams, allowing a 46% reduction.[51] In addition, McDonald‘s eliminated the need for intermediate containers for cola by having a delivery system that pumps syrup directly from the delivery truck into storage containers, saving two million pounds of packaging annually.[52] Overall, weight reductions in packaging and products, as well as the increased usage of bulk packaging ultimately decreased packaging by 24 million pounds annually.[53] Legal cases

Main article: McDonald's legal cases

McDonald's has been involved in a number of lawsuits and other legal cases, most of which involved trademark disputes. The company has threatened many food businesses with legal action unless it drops the Mc or Mac from trading names. In one noteworthy case, McDonald's sued a Scottish café owner called McDonald, even though the business in question dated back over a century (Sheriff Court Glasgow and Strathkelvin, November 21, 1952). On September 8, 2009, McDonald's Malaysian operations lost a lawsuit to prevent another restaurant calling itself McCurry. McDonald's lost in an appeal to Malaysia's highest court, the Federal Court.[54]

It has also filed numerous defamation suits. For example, in the McLibel case, McDonald's sued two activists for distributing pamphlets attacking its environmental, labor and health records. After the longest trial in UK legal history, the judge found that some claims in the pamphlet were untrue and therefore libellous. The company, however, had asserted that all claims in the pamphlet were untrue, essentially obliging the judge to publicly rule on each one. Embarrassingly for the company, several of the specific allegations were upheld.[55]

McDonald's has defended itself in several cases involving workers' rights. In 2001 the company was fined £12,400 by British magistrates for illegally employing and over-working child labor in one of its London restaurants. This is thought to be one of the largest fines imposed on a company for breaking laws relating to child working conditions (R v 2002 EWCA Crim 1094). In April 2007 in Perth, Western Australia, McDonald's pleaded guilty to five charges relating to the employment of children under 15 in one of its outlets and was fined AU$8,000.[56]

Possibly the most infamous legal case involving McDonald's was the 1994 decision in The McDonald's Coffee Case where Stella Liebeck was awarded several million dollars after she suffered third-degree burns after spilling a scalding cup of McDonald's coffee on herself.

In a McDonald's American Idol figurine promotion, the figurine that represents "New Wave Nigel" wears something that closely resembles Devo‘s Energy Dome, which was featured on the band's album cover, Freedom of Choice. In addition to the figurine's image, it also plays a tune that appears to be an altered version of Devo's song "Doctor Detroit." Devo copyrighted and trademarked the Energy Dome and is taking legal action against McDonald's.[57] Products

A McDonald's McArabia meal, served with French fries. The McArabia is a popular pita bread sandwich sold in the Middle East and central Asia. Main article: McDonald's products See also: McDonald's products (international)

McDonald's predominantly sells hamburgers, various types of chicken sandwiches and products, French fries, soft drinks, breakfast items, and desserts. In most markets, McDonald's offers salads and vegetarian items, wraps and other localized fare. On a seasonal basis, McDonald's offers the McRib sandwich. Some speculate the seasonality of the McRib adds to its appeal.[58] Portugal is the only country with McDonald's restaurants currently serving soup. This local deviation from the standard menu is a characteristic for which the chain is particularly known, and one which is employed either to abide by regional food taboos (such as the religious prohibition of beef consumption in India) or to make available foods with which the regional market is more familiar (such as the sale of McRice in Indonesia).

Headquarters

McDonald's Plaza, located in Oak Brook, Illinois is the headquarters of McDonald's The McDonald's headquarters complex, McDonald's Plaza, is located in Oak Brook, Illinois. It sits on the site of the former headquarters and stabling area of Paul Butler, the founder of Oak Brook.[59] McDonald's moved into the Oak Brook facility from an office within the Chicago Loop in 1971.[60] Advertising

Main article: McDonald's advertising

McDonald's has for decades maintained an extensive advertising campaign. In addition to the usual media (television, radio, and newspaper), the company makes significant use of billboards and signage, sponsors sporting events ranging from Little League to the Olympic Games, and makes coolers of orange drink with its logo available for local events of all kinds. Nonetheless, television has always played a central role in the company's advertising strategy.

To date, McDonald's has used 23 different slogans in United States advertising[citation needed], as well as a few other slogans for select countries and regions. At times, it has run into trouble with its campaigns.

Children's advertising

Main articles: Ronald McDonald and McDonaldland

Sports awards and honors

See Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans Global operations

See also: List of countries with McDonald's franchises See also: International availability of McDonald's products

Countries with McDonald's stores

McDonald's adjacent to rivals Burger King in , .

The McDonald's restaurant in Banbury's Bridge Street in 2010. It is still in white paint outside and blue/grey/brown inside as it was since 2002.

McDonald's has become emblematic of globalization, sometimes referred to as the "McDonaldization" of society. The Economist newspaper uses the "Big Mac Index": the comparison of a Big Mac's cost in various world currencies can be used to informally judge these currencies' purchasing power parity. Norway has the most expensive Big Mac in the world as of July 2011, while the country with the least expensive Big Mac is India[61] (albeit for a Maharaja Mac—the next cheapest Big Mac is Hong Kong).[62]

Thomas Friedman once said that no country with a McDonald's had gone to war with another.[63][Full citation needed] However, the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention" is not strictly true. Exceptions are the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, NATO's bombing of Serbia in 1999, the 2006 Lebanon War, and the 2008 South Ossetia war.

Some observers have suggested that the company should be given credit for increasing the standard of service in markets that it enters. A group of anthropologists in a study entitled Golden Arches East[64] looked at the impact McDonald's had on East Asia, and Hong Kong in particular. When it opened in Hong Kong in 1975, McDonald's was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. McDonald's have recently[when?] taken to partnering up with Sinopec, the second largest oil company in the People's Republic of China, as it begins to take advantage of the country's growing use of personal vehicles by opening numerous drive-thru restaurants.[65] McDonald's has opened a McDonald's restaurant and McCafé on the underground premises of the French fine arts museum, the Louvre.[66]

McDonald's has started to offer free wireless Internet access in many countries.[67][68][69] McHappy Day

McHappy Day is an annual event at McDonald's, where a percentage of the day's sales go to charity. It is the signature fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House Charities.[70]

In 2007, it was celebrated in 17 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, the United States, Finland, France, Guatemala, Hungary, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Uruguay.

According to the Australian McHappy Day web site, McHappy Day raised $20.4 million in 2009. The goal for 2010 is $20.8 million.[71] Cultural references

 Political cartoonist Michel Kichka satirized a McDonald's billboard in his 1982 poster "And I Love New York." On the billboard, lettering above the chain's golden arches symbol read "McDonald Duck."[72]  Country singer John Conlee referenced McDonald's in his 1983 hit song "Common Man." Feeling awkward as he is about to have a swanky dinner, Conlee says, "Let me drive us to McDonald's and I'll talk to you concerning something you should really know."[73]

See also

Chicago portal

Illinois portal

Companies portal

Food portal

Book: McDonald's

Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

 MaDonal, a restaurant knock-off operating in Northern Iraq .  Maxime, McDuff & McDo, documentary film about the unionizing of a McDonald's in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Competitors

 Burger King—Second largest burger chain  Wendy's—World's third largest hamburger fast food chain  Jack in the Box—American fast food chain  Subway—Largest single-brand restaurant chain  Carl's Jr.—Fifth largest American fast food chain  Five Guys—American fast food chain  Whataburger—American fast food chain  Krystal—American fast food chain  White Castle—American fast food chain  Yum!—Largest multi-brand restaurant chain

References

1. ^ McDonald's publication. "Corporate FAQ". McDonald's Corporation. Retrieved 2007- 11-24. 2. ^ a b c d e f "2010 Form 10-K, McDonald's Corporation". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 2011-03-03. 3. ^ a b "McDonald's Corporation 2010 Annual Report". McDonald's Corporation. 2010. Retrieved 2011-07-12. 4. ^ "50th Anniversary of McDonald's". NPR. 2005-4-14. 5. ^ "McDonald's History". Aboutmcdonalds.com. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 6. ^ "MCD 10-K 2007, Item 6, pg. 9".[dead link] 7. ^ Stephen Evans (20 April 2004). "McDonald's: The journey to health". BBC News. Retrieved 2 May 2011. 8. ^ "McDonald's history 1954–1955". www.mcdonalds.com. Retrieved 2008-06-22.[dead link] 9. ^ "McDonald's history 1965–1973". www.mcdonalds.com. Retrieved 2008-06-22.[dead link] 10. ^ McDonaold's history from Route-66.com[dead link] 11. ^ a b Mcdonalds.ca, retrieved May 8, 2008 12. ^ Brand, Rachel. (2006-12-23) "Chipotle founder had big dreams"[dead link] Rocky Mountain News. retrieved on 2009-10-07. 13. ^ "McDonald's sets October deadline to sell Chipotle stock". Denver Business Journal (BizJournals.com). July 25, 2006. Retrieved 2009-08-10. 14. ^ "McDonald's Wraps Up Boston Market Sale". Dow Jones & Company, Inc. News Services. 2007-08-27. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-28. 15. ^ "McDonald's Restaurants". Caterersearch.com. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 16. ^ "McDonald's and BP test combined operations. (McDonald's Restaurants; BP Oil Co.)". 17. ^ "McDonald's serves up 'MCSTOP' – Its restaurant for big crowds". 18. ^ "El único Mc Donald‘s kosher del mundo fuera de Israel es certificado por Ajdut Kosher" (Spanish and English). Last consulted: 22/05/2011 19. ^ "Buenos Aires Restaurants - Kosher McDonald's". Travel.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 20. ^ "McDonald's wants a digital-age makeover". 21. ^ "Mickey D's McMakeover". 22. ^ Baertlein, Lisa (September 24, 2009). "McDonald's raises cash dividend by 10%". reuters.com. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 23. ^ "Definition of S&P 500 Aristocrat at Investopedia". Investopedia.com. Retrieved 2010- 08-27. 24. ^ "List of 2009 Dividend Aristocrats via Seeking Alpha, retrieved 10/1/2009". Seekingalpha.com. 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 25. ^ "CNN.com – Merriam-Webster: 'McJob' is here to stay – Nov. 11, 2003".[dead link] 26. ^ "McJob". Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. 1986. Retrieved 2009-11-29. 27. ^ AFP (November 12, 2003). "McDonald's upset over McJob title". Retrieved October 18, 2009.[dead link] 28. ^ "José Bové". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-29. "In 1999, Bove spent another three weeks in jail after he led activists in the destruction of—guess what—a branch of McDonald's. For Bove, the golden arches represent the industrialization of all food production, the worst of 'malbouffe—bad food'. For the anti-global movement, his imprisonment made him one of its first martyrs." 29. ^ Smith, Andrew F. (2007). The Oxford companion to American food and drink. Oxford University Press US. p. 371. ISBN 9780195307962. 30. ^ Katz, Neil (2010-06-23). "McDonald's and Toy Lawsuit: Are "Happy Meals" Tricking Kids?". CBS News. Retrieved 2010-09-14. 31. ^ "Letter from McDonald's headquarters claiming fries are vegetarian". 32. ^ David Sterrett, "McDonald‘s Being Ambushed by PETA," ChicagoBusiness.com 11 Feb. 2010. 33. ^ Katherine Glover, "PETA vs. McDonald's: Nicest Way to Kill a Chicken[dead link]," BNET 20 Feb. 2009. 34. ^ PETA, "McCruelty, I'm Hatin' It," McCruelty.com[dead link], last accessed 14 Nov. 2010. 35. ^ Glover. 36. ^ Greenpeace International (April 2006). "We're trashin'it, How McDonald's is eating up the Amazon" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-12-15. 37. ^ Sweney, Mark (2006-04-20). "Not bad for a McJob?". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-03-30. 38. ^ Merriam-Webster: 'McJob' is here to stay[dead link] 39. ^ Carrigan, Marylyn and De Pelsmacker, Patrick (2009). Will ethical consumers sustain their values in the global credit crunch? International Marketing Review, 26(6), pp. 674– 687,(p.7). 40. ^ Ian Ashbridge (2007-07-03). "McDonald's milk goes organic – 03/07/2007 – FarmersWeekly". Fwi.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 41. ^ "McDonald's Holds down Dollar Meal, Making Menu Healthier". International Business Times. 2008-05-22. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 42. ^ "McDonald's says all US French fries cooked in zero-trans-fat oil". www.gmanews. 43. ^ "Report of the Corporate Responsibility Committee of the Board of Directors of McDonald‘s Corporation" (PDF). 19 November 2009. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 44. ^ ""McDonald's hails success of waste-to-energy trial"". Businessgreen.com. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 45. ^ ""Local woman creates environmental-friendly Web site"". Herald-dispatch.com. 2008- 04-19. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 46. ^ John Vidal, environment editor (2008-04-26). ""'Sustainable' bio-plastic can damage the environment"". London: Guardian. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 47. ^ "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency". Retrieved April 17, 2008. 48. ^ "McDonald's Corporation website". Retrieved April 17, 2008.[dead link] 49. ^ Goodman, Matthew (April 5, 2009). Big Mac, hold the CO2. The Sunday Times. 50. ^ "National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education" (PDF). 51. ^ Environmental Defense Fund. Task Force Report. p. 42. 52. ^ Environmental Defense Fund and McDonald's Corporation. Waste Reduction Task Force Final Report. Oak Brook, IL: McDonald's, 1991. p. 22. 53. ^ [McDonald‘s "Corporation. McDonald's Packaging — The Facts. Oak Brook, IL: McDonald‘s, 1990. p. 7."]. 54. ^ BBC online news article dated September 8, 2009 News.BB.co.uk 55. ^ Mark Oliver (2005-02-15). "Q&A: the McLibel case". London: Guardian. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 56. ^ "McDonald's fined for employing underage workers". ABC News Online. 2007-04-12. Retrieved 2007-04-12.[dead link] 57. ^ Caro, Mark (2008-06-26). "Devo looks to whip McDonald's good". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2008-06-27. 58. ^ "Fanatics Preach Fast Food Evangelism". Fox News. 2011-07-23. 59. ^ Steele, Jeffrey. "Oak Brook history in caring hands society president is part of village's changing heritage." Chicago Tribune. July 29, 1998. Page 88. Retrieved on September 17, 2009. 60. ^ Cross, Robert. "Inside Hamburger Central." Chicago Tribune. January 9, 1972. G18. Retrieved on September 17, 2009. 61. ^ "India's 50 most trusted brands". Rediff.com. 2011-01-20. 62. ^ "The Big Mac index – Currency comparisons, to go". The Economist. July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011. 63. ^ ""The and the Olive Tree"". Thomaslfriedman.com. Retrieved 2011-07-23. 64. ^ Stanford University Press, 1998, edited by James L. Watson 65. ^ "McDonald's deal with oil company marries China's new love of fast food, cars". 66. ^ Samuel, Henry (October 4, 2009). "McDonald's restaurants to open at the Louvre". Telegraph.co.uk (London). 67. ^ "Free Wi-Fi". McDonalds.com. 2010-07-22. Retrieved 2011-11-25. 68. ^ "McDonald's". Mcdonalds.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-11-25. 69. ^ "faqs | McDonald's". Mcdonalds.com.au. Retrieved 2011-11-25. 70. ^ McHappy Day, Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 12 September 2010. 71. ^ McHappy Day Retrieved 8 November 2010. 72. ^ rogallery.com/Kichka_Michel/kichka-new_york.html 73. ^ www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/conlee-john/common-man-6962.html Further reading

 Thomas Derdak and Jay P. Pederson, ed (2004). "McDonald's". International directory of company histories. 67 (3rd ed.). St. James Press. pp. 108–109. ISBN 1558625127.  Love, John F. (April 1987). "Big Macs, Fries, and Real Estate". Financial Executive (4): 20–26. External links

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 McDonald's  "Big Mac's Makeover: McDonald's Turned Around". The Economist. 2004-10-14.

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 CBC Archives—CBC Television reports on the opening of McDonald's (1990)

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 Domino's Pizza

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Domino's Pizza

Type Public (NYSE: DPZ)

Industry Restaurants Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States Founded (June 10, 1960) Headquarters Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Area served Worldwide Tom Monaghan, Founder Key people J. Patrick Doyle, CEO Pizza, sandwiches, pasta, chicken Products wings, desserts Revenue $1.425 billion USD (2008) Employees 145,000

Website www.dominos.com

Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.[1] Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second- largest pizza chain in the United States[2] and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores[3] in 60 countries[4] and all 50 U.S. states. Domino's Pizza was sold to Bain Capital in 1998 and went public in 2004. The menu features both vegetarian and meat pizzas, chicken wings and boneless chicken, potato wedges, garlic breads and a variety of dessert items including cookies and waffles, Ben & Jerry's ice cream and a variety of soft drinks including Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite. Domino's has restaurants in all of the world's major cities such as New York, London and Chicago.

Contents

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 1 History o 1.1 Early years o 1.2 International expansion o 1.3 Sale of company o 1.4 Current era  2 Products  3 Corporate governance o 3.1 Charitable activities  4 Advertising and sponsorship o 4.1 30-minute guarantee  5 International operations  6 References  7 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

In 1960, Tom Monaghan and his brother, James, purchased DomiNick's,[5] a small pizza store in Ypsilanti, Michigan near Eastern Michigan University. The deal was secured by a US$75 down payment and the brothers borrowed $900 to pay for the store. Eight months later, James traded his half of the business to Tom for a used Volkswagen Beetle. As sole owner of the company, Monaghan renamed the business Domino's Pizza, Inc. in 1965. In 1967, the first Domino's Pizza franchise store opened in Ypsilanti. The company logo was originally planned to add a new dot with the addition of every new store, but this idea quickly faded as Domino's experienced rapid growth. The three dots represent the stores that were open at the time(1969).[6] By 1978, the franchise opened its 200th store.[7][8]

In 1975, Domino's faced a lawsuit by Amstar Corporation, maker of Domino Sugar, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition. On May 2, 1980, a federal appeals court found in favor of Domino's Pizza.[9]

[edit] International expansion

Domino's Outlet in India.

On May 12, 1983, Domino's opened its first international store, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.[10] That same year, Domino's opened its 1,000th store overall, and by 1995 Domino's had 1,000 international locations. In 1997, Domino's opened its 1,500th international location, opening seven stores in one day across five continents.[7]

[edit] Sale of company

In 1998, after 38 years of ownership, Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan announced his retirement and sold 93 percent of the company to Bain Capital, Inc. for about $1 billion and ceased being involved in day-to-day operations of the company.[11] A year later, the company named David A. Brandon Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.[12]

[edit] Current era

The exterior of a Domino's Pizza store in Spring Hill, Florida.

In 2004, after 44 years as a privately held company, an employee of Domino's Pizza rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange and the company began trading common stock on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "DPZ".[13]

Industry trade publication Pizza Today magazine named Domino's Pizza "Chain of the Year" in 2003[14],2010,[15] and 2011[16]. In a simultaneous celebration in 2006, Domino's opened its 5,000th U.S. store in Huntley, Illinois, and its 3,000th international store in Panama City, making 8,000 total stores for the system.[17] Also that year, the Domino's Pizza store in Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland, became the first in Domino's history to hit a turnover of $3 million (€2.35 million) per year.[18] As of September 2006, it has 8,238 stores which totaled US$1.4 billion in gross income.[19]

In 2007, Domino's introduced its Veterans, Delivering the Dream franchising programs and also rolled out its online and mobile ordering sites.[8] In 2008, Domino's introduced the Pizza Tracker, an online application that allows customers to view the status of their order in a simulated "real time" progress bar.[20] In addition, the first Domino's with a dining room opened in Stephenville, Texas, giving the customers the option to either eat in or take their pizza home. Since 2005, the voice of Domino's Pizza's US phone ordering service 1-800-DOMINOS has been Kevin Railsback.[21]

In a 2009 survey of consumer taste preferences among national chains by Brand Keys, Domino's was last — tied with Chuck E. Cheese's. In December that year, Domino's announced plans to entirely reinvent its pizza. It began a self-flogging ad campaign in which consumers were filmed criticizing the pizza's quality and chefs were shown developing the new product.[22][23] The new pizza was introduced that same month, and the following year, Domino's 50th anniversary, the company acquired J. Patrick Doyle as its new CEO and experienced a historic 14.3% quarterly gain. While admitted not to endure, the success was described by Doyle as one of the largest quarterly same-store sales jumps ever recorded by a major fast-food chain.[24][25] [edit] Products

A makeline at a Domino's

The current Domino's menu features a variety of Italian-American entrees and side dishes. Pizza is the primary focus, with traditional, specialty and custom pizzas available in a variety of crust styles and toppings. In 2011 Dominos launced Artisan style pizzas that offer a base blend of rich flavors to compliment chef inspired toppings. Additional entrees include pasta, bread bowls and oven-baked sandwiches. The menu offers chicken side dishes, breadsticks, as well as beverages and desserts.[26]

From its founding until the early 1990s, the menu at Domino's Pizza was kept simple relative to other fast food restaurants, to ensure efficiency of delivery.[27] Historically, Domino's menu consisted solely of one pizza in two sizes (12-inch and 16-inch), 11 toppings, and Coke as the only soft drink option.[28]

The first menu expansion occurred in 1989, with the debut of Domino's deep dish, or pan pizza. Its introduction followed market research showing that 40% of American pizza customers preferred thick crusts. The new product launch cost approximately $25 million, of which $15 million was spent on new sheet metal pans with perforated bottoms.[29] Domino's started testing extra-large size pizzas in early 1993, starting with the 30-slice, yard-long "The Dominator".[30]

Domino's tapped into a market trend toward bite-size foods with spicy Buffalo Chicken Kickers, as an alternative to Buffalo Wings, in August 2002. The breaded, baked, white-meat fillets, similar to chicken tenders,[31] are packaged in a custom-designed box with two types of sauce to "heat up" and "cool down" the chicken.[32]

In August 2003, Domino's announced its first new pizza since January 2000, the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza. The product launch also marked the beginning of a partnership with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, whose beef Check-Off logo appeared in related advertising.[33] Domino's continued its move toward specialty pizzas in 2006, with the introduction of its "Brooklyn Style Pizza", featuring a thinner crust, cornmeal baked in to add crispness, and larger slices that could be folded in the style of traditional New York-style pizza.[34]

In 2008, Domino's once again branched out into non-pizza fare, offering oven-baked sandwiches in four styles, intended to compete with Subway's toasted submarine sandwiches. Early marketing for the sandwiches made varied references to its competition, such as offering free sandwiches to customers named "Jared," a reference to Subway's spokesman of the same name.[35]

The company introduced its American Legends line of specialty pizzas in 2009, featuring 40% more cheese than the company's regular pizzas, along with a greater variety of toppings.[36] That same year, Domino's began selling its BreadBowl Pasta entree, a lightly seasoned bread bowl baked with pasta inside,[37] and Lava Crunch Cake dessert, composed of a crunchy chocolate shell filled with warm fudge. Domino's promoted the item by flying in 1,000 cakes to deliver at Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center near Mount St Helens.[38]

In 2010, the company changed its pizza recipe "from the crust up",[39] making significant changes in the dough, sauce and cheese used in their pizzas. Their advertising campaign admitted to earlier problems with the public perception of Domino's product due to issues of taste.[40][41]

Since the companies stock low in late 2009, the company's stock had grown 233 percent by late 2011. Even as the economy has suffered and unemployment has risen, Dominos has seen its sales rise dramatically through its efforts to rebrand and retool its pizza.[42] [edit] Corporate governance

Domino's management is led by J. Patrick Doyle, CEO from March 2010, formerly president of Domino's USA. Previous chief executive David Brandon, made athletic director of the University of Michigan in January 2010, remains chairman.[43] Among 11 executive vice presidents are Michael Lawton, CFO; Asi Sheikh, Team USA; Scott Hinshaw, Franchise Operations and Development; and Kenneth Rollin, General Counsel.[44] Domino's operations are overseen by a board of directors led by Brandon. Other members of the board are Andrew Balson, Diana Cantor, Mark Nunnelly, Robert Rosenberg and Bud Hamilton.[45]

[edit] Charitable activities

In 2001, Domino's launched a two-year national partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. That same year, the company stores in New York City and Washington D.C. provided more than 12,000 pizzas to relief workers following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. Through a matching funds program, the corporation donated $350,000 to the American Red Cross' disaster relief effort.[7] In 2004, Domino's began its current partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, participating in the hospital's "Thanks and Giving" campaign since it began in 2004, raising more than $1.3 million in 2006.[46]

Dominos Australia donates large quantities of pizza to natural disaster victims. They also provide food to isolated towns in rural areas that don't have access to large amounts of food. Dominos Australia has partnerships with Mission Australia, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Starlight Foundation and Marymead.[47] [edit] Advertising and sponsorship

Arie Luyendyk's Lola-Chevrolet which won the 1990 Indianapolis 500 for Doug Shierson Racing.

In the 1980s, Domino's Pizza was well known for its advertisements featuring The Noid. That concept was created by Group 243 Inc. who then hired Will Vinton Studios to produce the television commercials that they created. The catchphrase associated with the commercials was "Avoid the Noid." Due to a glitch on the Domino's website, the company gave away nearly 11,000 free medium pizzas in March 2009. The company had planned the campaign for December 2008 but dropped the idea and never promoted it. The code was never deactivated though and resulted in the free giveaway of the pizzas across the United States after someone discovered the promotion on the website by typing in the word "bailout" as the promotion code and then shared it with others on the Internet. Domino's deactivated the code on the morning of Tuesday, March 31, 2009 and promised to reimburse store owners for the pizzas.[48]

Domino's sponsored CART's Doug Shierson Racing, which was driven by Arie Luyendyk, and the team won the 1990 Indianapolis 500. In 2003, Domino's teamed up with NASCAR for a multi-year partnership to become the "Official Pizza of NASCAR."[49] Domino's also sponsored Racing and driver during the 2007 season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Domino's Pizza was briefly seen in the 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Furthermore, from 1998 to 2008 the company provided funding for the American cartoon sitcom "The Simpsons".[50]

[edit] 30-minute guarantee

A car with a Domino's stick-on cone on roof

Starting in 1973, Domino's Pizza had a guarantee that customers would receive their pizzas within 30 minutes of placing an order, or they would receive the pizzas free. The guarantee was reduced to $3 off in the mid 1980s. In 1992, the company settled a lawsuit brought by the family of an Indiana woman who had been killed by a Domino's delivery driver, paying the family $2.8 million. In another 1993 lawsuit, brought by a woman who was injured when a Domino's delivery driver ran a red light and collided with her vehicle, the woman was awarded nearly $80 million, but accepted a payout of $15 million.[51] The guarantee was dropped that same year because of the "public perception of reckless driving and irresponsibility", according to Monaghan.[51]

In December 2007, Domino's introduced a new slogan, "You Got 30 Minutes", alluding to the earlier pledge but stopping short of promising delivery in a half hour.[52]

The company continues to offer "30 minute or Free" guarantee for orders placed in its stores situated in India.

[edit] International operations

Map showing Domino's Pizza's global locations.

Domino's Pizza is located in more than 60 countries.[53][54] The rights to own, operate and franchise branches of the chain in Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Principality of Monaco are currently owned by Domino's Pizza Enterprises, having been sold off by the parent company between 1993 and 2007. The master franchises for the UK and Ireland were purchased by Domino's Pizza Group, now publicly traded as Domino's Pizza UK & IRL, in 1993.[55]

[edit] References

1. ^ "Contact Us." Domino's Pizza. Retrieved on March 11, 2011. "How do I contact the Domino's Pizza World Resource Center? Domino's Pizza LLC 30 Frank Wright Drive Ann Arbor MI 48106-0997" 2. ^ "Domino's upgrades its pizza". Asbury Park Press. 5 January 201. Retrieved 19 January 2010[dead link]. 3. ^ Morningstar, Inc... "Domino's Pizza, Inc. (DPZ)". Yahoo! Finance. Yahoo!. Retrieved 19 January 2010. 4. ^ "Find a Domino's - International". dominos.com. Domino's IP Holder LLC. 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2010. 5. ^ Boyer, Peter J. (19 February 2007). "The Deliverer". The New Yorker. Retrieved 31 August 2009. 6. ^ Pizza Particulars Dominos.com (2010). Retrieved on 6-13-10. 7. ^ a b c "Our Heritage". Domino's Pizza, Inc.. 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2009.[dead link] 8. ^ a b "Domino's Pizza, Inc.". Datamonitor Company Profiles. Datamonitor. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2009. 9. ^ "AMSTAR CORPORATION, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DOMINO'S PIZZA, INC. and Atlanta Pizza, Inc., Pizza Enterprises, Inc. and Pizza Services, Inc., Hanna Creative Enterprises, Inc., Defendants-Appellants.". United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. 2 May 1980. Retrieved 31 August 2009.[dead link] 10. ^ "Domino's Pizza delivers 100th store". The Toronto Star. 27 May 1988. "The opening coincides with the fifth anniversary of Domino's Pizza of Canada, which established its first outlet in Winnipeg on May 13, 1983." 11. ^ "Domino's Founder to Retire, Sell Stake". Los Angeles Time. 26 September 1998. Retrieved 31 August 2009. 12. ^ "David A. Brandon Biography" (Press release). Domino's Pizza, Inc.. 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2009. 13. ^ "Domino's Pizza, Inc.". New York Stock Exchange. 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009. 14. ^ White, Jeremy (June 2003). "Top Honors: Domino's is our 2003 Chain of the Year". Pizza Today: p. 30. 15. ^ "Domino's Pizza our 2010 Chain of the Year". Pizza Today. 18 May 2010. 16. ^ White, Jeremy. "Chain of the Year: Domino's Pizza". Pizza Today. Retrieved 14 September 2011. 17. ^ "Domino's Pizza Delivers 8,000th Store". QSR Magazine. 27 January 2006. 18. ^ "Raking in the Dough". The Indpenendent (Ireland). 4 August 2006. Retrieved 31 August 2009. 19. ^ "Domino‘s Pizza Announces 2006 Financial Results" (Press release). Domino's Pizza, Inc. 23 February 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2009. 20. ^ "Domino's Launches Revolutionary Customer Tool: Pizza Tracker(TM)". Domino's Pizza. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2011. 21. ^ Miramonte Mirador, April/May 2005 Issue, Page 12 22. ^ [1] PizzaTurnAround.com (2010). Retrieved on 6-13-10. 23. ^ Horovitz, Bruce Domino's Pizza delivers change in its core pizza recipe USA Today (December 16, 2009). Retrieved on 6-13-10. 24. ^ Domino's says new recipes, frank ad campaign help double profit USA Today (March 2, 2010). Retrieved on 6-13-10. 25. ^ Horovitz, Bruce New pizza recipe did wonders for Domino's sales USA Today (May 7, 2010). Retrieved on 6-13-10. 26. ^ "Our Menu". Dominos.com. Domino's Pizza. Retrieved April 2, 2010.[dead link] 27. ^ Jean Halliday (2 August 1993). "Variety is the spice of life in Domino's Pizza". Crain's Detroit Business. 28. ^ Jim Osterman (8 August 1987). "Domino's great delivery deal: The pizza's there in 30 minutes or it's $ 3 cheaper". AdWeek. 29. ^ Rick Telberg (15 May 1989). "Domino's Pizza deep-dishes it out". Nation's Restaurant News. 30. ^ "Domino's Announces 30 Slice Pizza". Associated Press. 28 April 1993. 31. ^ Amy Zuber (8 July 2002). "Pizza players vie for shares of segment pie with new offerings". Nation's Restaurant News. 32. ^ Kate MacArthur (19 August 2002). "Menu Expansion: Domino's serves up chicken fillets". Advertising Age. 33. ^ "Domino's Pizza next Tuesday is scheduled to debut a Philly Cheese Steak Pizza topped with marinated sirloin steak, onions, peppers, mushrooms and provolone cheese". Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax. 26 August 2003. 34. ^ Kim Severson (8 November 2006). "'Brooklyn Style Pizza' Meets the Real Deal". The New York Times. 35. ^ "Domino's 'Jared' promo targets sandwich market". Nation's Restaurant News. 20 August 2008. 36. ^ Sylvia Rector (26 January 2009). "Domino's: New premium pizzas in time for Super Bowl". Detroit Free Press. 37. ^ "Snapshots". Detroit Free Press. 26 April 2009. 38. ^ "Off Beat: Domino's plan to let the lava cake flow gets knocked down". The Columbian. 17 August 2009. 39. ^ Joshua Ozersky (29 January 2010). "Domino's Mea Culpa and America's Pizza Passions". Time Magazine. 40. ^ "Domino's delivers new CEO and image". CNN.com. 15 January 2010. 41. ^ "Domino's says new recipes, frank ad campaign help double profit". Associated Press. 2 March 2010. 42. ^ Anna-Louise Jackson and Anthony Feld (2011=10=17). "Domino‘s ‗Brutally Honest‘ Ads Offset Slow Consumer Spending". Business Week. 43. ^ Nathan Bomey (5 January 2010). "J. Patrick Doyle named CEO of Domino's Pizza as David Brandon becomes University of Michigan athletic director". AnnArbor.com. 44. ^ "Domino's Investor Relations - Management". Domino's Pizza. 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2010. 45. ^ "Domino's Investor Relations - Board of Directors". 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2010. 46. ^ "2007 St. Jude Thanks and Giving Campaign". Domino's Pizza, Inc.. 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2009.[dead link] 47. ^ http://www.dominos.com.au/corporate/inside/community.aspx 48. ^ Shebar, Alex (2 April 2009). Free pizza deal was tasty accident. 49. ^ "Oh Yeah! Domino's Becomes the Official Pizza of NASCAR -- A Grit Pizza?" (Press release). The Auto Channel. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 31 August 2009. 50. ^ "Domino‘s History". 2011-12-10. 51. ^ a b "End of Domino's Pizza Delivery Guarantee". The Urban Legends Reference Library. Accessed July 8, 2011 52. ^ Adamy, Janet (17 December 2007). "Will a Twist on an Old Vow Deliver for Domino's Pizza?". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 July 2009. 53. ^ Find a Domino's - International 54. ^ www.dominosbiz.com - Domino's Around the World 55. ^ Litterick, David (February 23, 2008). "Colin Halpern sells £4 m slice of Domino's Pizza". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-06-22. [edit] External links

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ال عرب ية   Azərbaycanca  Dansk  Deutsch  Español  Français  한국어   Bahasa Indonesia עברית   Nederlands  日本語  Português  Русский  Simple English Svenska Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)

Type Wholly owned subsidiary Industry Restaurants 1930 (original) (North Corbin, Founded Kentucky) 1952 (franchise) (South Salt Lake, Utah)

Founder(s) Harland Sanders Headquarters Louisville, Kentucky, United States Roger Eaton, President Key people Harvey R. Brownlea, COO James O'Reilly, VP for Marketing Fried chicken, grilled chicken, Products related Southern foods Revenue US$520.3 million (2007)[1] Employees 24,000 (2007)[1]

Parent Yum! Brands

Website www.KFC.com

KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global Restaurants Inc.

KFC primarily sells chicken pieces, wraps, salads and sandwiches. While its primary focus is fried chicken, KFC also offers a line of grilled and roasted chicken products, side dishes and desserts. Outside the USA, KFC offers beef based products such as hamburgers or kebabs, poutine, pork based products such as ribs and other regional fare.

The company was founded as Kentucky Fried Chicken by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, though the idea of KFC's fried chicken actually goes back to 1930. Although Sanders died in 1980, he remains an important part of the company's branding and advertisements, and "Colonel Sanders" or "The Colonel" is a metonym for the company itself. The company adopted KFC, an abbreviated form of its name, in 1991. Starting in April 2007, the company began using its original name, Kentucky Fried Chicken, for its signage, packaging and advertisements in the U.S. as part of a new corporate re-branding program; Newer and remodeled restaurants will adopt the new logo and name, while older stores will continue to use the 1980s signage. Additionally, Yum! continues to use the abbreviated name freely in its advertising.

Contents

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 1 History  2 Recipe  3 Products o 3.1 Packaging o 3.2 Menu items  4 Advertising  5 Reception o 5.1 Environmental concerns o 5.2 Trademark disputes o 5.3 Animal rights o 5.4 Dispute over ingredients  6 International operations  7 See also  8 References  9 External links

History

The restaurant in North Corbin, Kentucky where Colonel Sanders developed Kentucky Fried Chicken

The first KFC restaurant, situated in South Salt Lake, Utah and since replaced by a new KFC on the same site

Born and raised in Henryville, Indiana, Sanders passed through several professions in his lifetime.[2] Sanders first served his fried chicken in 1930 in the midst of the Great Depression at a gas station he owned in North Corbin, Kentucky. The dining area was named Sanders Court & Café and was so successful that in 1935 Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon granted Sanders the title of honorary Kentucky Colonel in recognition of his contribution to the state's cuisine. The following year Sanders expanded his restaurant to 142 seats, and added a motel he bought across the street.[3] When Sanders prepared his chicken in his original restaurant in North Corbin, he prepared the chicken in an iron skillet, which took about 30 minutes to do, too long for a restaurant operation. In 1939, Sanders altered the cooking process for his fried chicken to use a pressure fryer, resulting in a greatly reduced cooking time comparable to that of deep frying.[4] In 1940 Sanders devised what came to be known as his Original Recipe.[5]

The Sanders Court & Café generally served travelers, often those headed to Florida, so when the route planned in the 1950s for what would become Interstate 75 bypassed Corbin, he sold his properties and traveled the U.S. to sell his chicken to restaurant owners. The first to take him up on the offer was Pete Harman in South Salt Lake, Utah; together, they opened the first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" outlet in 1952.[6] By the early 1960s, Kentucky Fried Chicken was sold in over 600 franchised outlets in both the United States and Canada. One of the longest- lived franchisees of the older Col. Sanders' chicken concept, as opposed to the KFC chain, was the Kenny Kings chain. The company owned many Northern Ohio diner-style restaurants, the last of which closed in 2004.

Sanders sold the entire KFC franchising operation in 1964 for $2million USD, equal to $14,161,464 today.[7] Since that time, the chain has been sold three more times: to Heublein in 1971, to R.J. Reynolds in 1982 and most recently to PepsiCo in 1986, which made it part of its Tricon Global Restaurants division, which in turn was spun off in 1997, and has now been renamed to Yum! Brands.

In 2001, KFC started tests in Austin, Texas restaurants of "Wing Works" chicken wing line sold with one of a few flavored sauces. Also, KFC hired a consultant to develop a breakfast menu.[8]

Additionally, Colonel Sanders' nephew, Lee Cummings, took his own Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises (and a chicken recipe of his own) and converted them to his own "spin-off" restaurant chain, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken. Recipe

The recipe of 11 herbs and spices used by KFC in preparation of their chicken remains a trade secret.[9][10] Portions of the secret spice mix are made at different locations in the United States, and the only complete, handwritten copy of the recipe is kept in a vault in corporate headquarters.[11] On September 9, 2008, the one complete copy was temporarily moved to an undisclosed location under extremely tight security while KFC revamped the security at its headquarters. Before the move, KFC disclosed[12] that the recipe, which includes exact amounts of each component, is written in pencil on a single sheet of notebook paper and signed by Sanders.[13] It was locked in a filing cabinet with two separate combination locks. The cabinet also included vials of each of the 11 herbs and spices used. Only two unnamed executives had access to the recipe at any one time.[14] One of the two executives said that no one had come close to guessing the contents of the secret recipe, and added that the actual recipe would include some surprises. On February 9, 2009, the secret recipe returned to KFC's Louisville headquarters in a more secure, computerized vault[15] guarded by motion detectors and security cameras. Reportedly, the paper has yellowed and the handwriting is now faint.[13]

In 1983, writer William Poundstone examined the recipe in his book Big Secrets. He reviewed Sanders' patent application, and advertised in college newspapers for present or former employees willing to share their knowledge.[16] From the former he deduced that Sanders had diverged from other common fried-chicken recipes by varying the amount of oil used with the amount of chicken being cooked, and starting the cooking at a higher temperature (about 400 °F (200 °C)) for the first minute or so and then lowering it to 250 °F (120 °C) for the remainder of the cooking time. Several of Poundstone's contacts also provided samples of the seasoning mix, and a food lab found that it consisted solely of sugar, flour, salt, black pepper and monosodium glutamate (MSG). He concluded that it was entirely possible that, in the years since Sanders sold the chain, later owners had begun skimping on the recipe to save costs.[17][18][19] Following his buyout in 1964, Colonel Sanders himself expressed anger at such changes, saying:

That friggin' ... outfit .... They prostituted every goddamn thing I had. I had the greatest gravy in the world and those sons of bitches-- they dragged it out and extended it and watered it down that I'm so goddamn mad![18][19]

Ron Douglas, author of the book America's Most Wanted Recipes, also claims to have figured out KFC's secret recipe.[20] Products

Packaging

The famous paper bucket that KFC uses for its larger sized orders of chicken and has come to signify the company was originally created by Wendy's restaurants founder Dave Thomas. Thomas was originally a franchisee of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken and operated several outlets in the Columbus, Ohio area. His reasoning behind using the paper packaging was that it helped keep the chicken crisp by wicking away excess moisture. Thomas was also responsible for the creation of the famous rotating bucket sign that came to be used at most KFC locations in the US.[21]

Menu items

Chicken  KFC's specialty is fried chicken served in various forms. KFC's primary product is pressure-fried pieces of chicken made with the original recipe. The other chicken offering, extra crispy, is made using a garlic marinade and double dipping the chicken in flour before deep frying in a standard industrial kitchen type machine.  Kentucky Grilled Chicken – This marinated grilled chicken is targeted towards health- conscious customers. It features marinated breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings that are coated with seasonings before being grilled. It has less fat, calories, and sodium than the Original Recipe fried chicken.[22] Introduced in April 2009 and was adapted mid-2011 in the UK as the "Brazer".  KFC has two lines of burgers or sandwiches: its "regular" chicken sandwiches/burgers and its Snackers line. The regular sandwiches/burgers are served on either a sesame seed or corn dusted roll and are made from either whole breast fillets (fried or roasted), chopped chicken in a sauce or fried chicken strips. The Snackers line are cheaper items that consist of chicken strips and various toppings. These are known as "burgers" in most countries and "sandwiches" in the United States. There is the chicken fillet burger (a chicken breast fillet coated in an original-recipe coating with salad garnish and mayonnaise) and a Zinger Burger (as with the former but with a spicier coating and salsa). Both of these are available as "tower" variants in some locations, which include a slice of cheese and a hash brown. o KFC considers its Double Down product a sandwich or burger in spite of containing no bread.  A variety of finger foods, including chicken strips, wings, nuggets, and popcorn chicken, and potato wedges, are served with various sauces.  Several pies have been made available from KFC in some locations. The Pot Pie is a savory pie made with chicken, gravy and vegetables. In the second quarter of 2006, KFC introduced its variation on Shepherd's pie called the Famous Bowl, known simply as the Chicken Bowl outside the US. Served in a plastic bowl, it is layered with mashed potatoes or rice, gravy, corn, popcorn chicken, and cheese, and is served with a biscuit. The bowl had been available at KFC's special test market store in Louisville since the third quarter of 2005.  The KFC Twister is a wrap that consists of either chicken strips or roasted chicken, tomato, lettuce and (pepper) mayonnaise wrapped in a tortilla. In Europe, the Twister is sold in two varieties: 1) the Grilled Twister (chicken strips),[23][24][25] and 2) the Grilled Mexican twister/Spicy Toasted Twister (UK) (chicken breast supplemented by tortilla chips and salsa, UK: adds only salsa to pepper mayonnaise),[26][27][28]  KFC Fillers are a 9 in (23 cm) sub, available in four varieties over the summer period in Australia.  Shish kebab – in several markets KFC sells kebabs.  Kentucky Barbecued Chicken – barbecued chicken dipped in the original recipe  Wrapstar is a variant of the KFC Twister, consisting of chicken strips with salsa, cheese, salad, pepper mayonnaise and other ingredients, contained in a compressed tortilla.[29][30]

Other products

Coleslaw

 In some locations, KFC may sell hamburgers, pork ribs or fish. In the U.S., KFC began offering the Fish Snacker sandwich during Lent in 2006. The Fish Snacker consists of a rectangular patty of Alaskan Pollock on a small bun, and is the fifth KFC menu item in the Snacker category.[31]  Some locations also may sell KFC 'Mashies' – balls of mashed potato cooked in original recipe batter[32]  Three types of salads (which can be topped with roasted or fried chicken) are available at KFC in the United States: Caesar, house, and BLT salads.  The Boneless Banquet  Zinger Burger – A regular sized burger which consists of a spicy chicken fillet with lettuce and mayonnaise in a burger bun. Cheese, tomato, bacon and pineapple can be added upon request in some locations. Barbecue sauce can also replace/join the mayonnaise in some locations.  Chili Cheese Fries[33] – By 2007, 2 former KFC/A&W Restaurants locations in Berlin and Cologne, Germany had reverted to KFC-only locations and the third location in Garbsen (by Hannover) was closed in 2005. The only remnant from the former A&W menu are the Chili Cheese Fries which were added to the systemwide KFC Germany menu.  Parfait desserts – "Little Bucket Parfaits" in varieties such as Fudge Brownie, Chocolate Crème (once called the Colonel's Little Fudge Bucket), Lemon Crème and Strawberry Shortcake are available at most locations in the US.[34]  Kentucky Nuggets - a chicken nugget product available at KFC from December 1984. It is still sold in New Zealand (as "Chicken Nuggets") and Australia, but has been discontinued in some other countries (e.g. Canada) since 1996.  Sara Lee Desserts – Available in either Cookies and Cream Cheesecake or Choc Caramel Mousse in some locations.  Krushers, available in Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa. These are drinks containing "real bits". They include "classic krushers", "smoothie krushers" and "fruit krushers". Some outlets are now equipped with "Krushbars" to serve these drinks. In the U.K., Krushers are known as Krushems.  Pastel de nata - varieties of the Portuguese Egg Tart is offered in several Asian locations.

Side Dishes  Other than fried chicken, many KFC restaurants serve side dishes like coleslaw, various potato-based items (including potato wedges [formerly known as Kentucky Fries], french fries and mashed potatoes with gravy), biscuits, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, macaroni salad, rice, steamed vegetables and corn on the cob.

Discontinued products

 The Colonel's Rotisserie Gold – This product was introduced in 1993 as a response to the Boston Market chain's roasted chicken products, and a healthier mindset of the general public avoiding fried food. Purportedly made from a "lost" Col. Sanders recipe, it was sold as a whole roaster or a half bird. It is unknown as to whether or not Col. Sanders really had anything to do with developing the recipe, however, according to one of Sanders' daughters, he did tinker with a rotisserie product at one time.[35]  Tender Roast Chicken – This product was an offshoot of "The Colonel's Rotisserie Gold". Instead of whole and half birds, customers were given quarter roasted chicken pieces. For a time, customers could request chicken "original", "Extra Tasty Crispy", or "Tender Roast".  Chicken Little sandwich – a value oriented sandwich that sold for US$0.39[36] in the U.S. during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was a small chicken patty with mayonnaise on a small roll, similar to White Castle's mini chicken sandwich.[37]  Extra Tasty Crispy (ETC) – Chicken much like the Extra Crispy served today, except ETC was prepared using chicken that had been soaking for 15 minutes in a special marinade machine. There is some speculation that the marinade may have been made with trans-fats,[citation needed] and KFC confesses to no longer use trans-fats in their chicken, the known ingredients were garlic and chicken stock. In the summer of 2007, KFC started marketing the chicken just as "Extra Crispy" without the marinade.  Smokey Chipotle – Introduced in April 2008. The chicken was dipped in chipotle sauce then doubled breaded and fried. It has been discontinued since August 2008.

Nutritional value

KFC has used partially hydrogenated oil in its fried foods. This oil contains relatively high levels of trans fat, which increases the risk of heart disease.

In the United States, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) filed a court case against KFC with the aim of making it use other types of oils or make sure customers know about trans fat content immediately before they buy food. In October 2006, KFC said it would begin frying its chicken in trans fat-free oil (<0.5g per serving) in the United States. This would also apply to their potato wedges and other fried foods, however, the biscuits, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes would still contain trans fat. Trans fat-free soybean oil was introduced in all KFC restaurants in the U.S. by April 30, 2007, and CSPI dropped its lawsuit.

However, outside the United States the company has continued to use other types of oil that have drawn criticism over their health effects. In Australia, KFC was reported to be using palm oil with up to 1 per cent trans-fat and 52 per cent saturated fat content as late as 2007, after restaurants in the United States had changed to trans-fat free oil.[38] Advertising

KFC's logo used from 1997 until November 2006

Despite his death in 1980, Sanders remains a key symbol of the company in its advertising and branding. Early television advertisements for KFC regularly featured Sanders licking his fingers and talking to the viewer about his secret recipe, and by the 1960s both the Colonel and the chain's striped bucket had become well-known. The bucket as product placement can be seen in the hands of both Annette Funicello and Dwayne Hickman in 1965's How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, and was also featured prominently in the 1968 Peter Sellers vehicle, The Party. KFC itself was featured in 1980's Superman II. The Colonel made appearances as himself in Jerry Lewis's The Big Mouth (1967), Herschell Gordon Lewis' Blast-Off Girls (1967) and Al Adamson's Hell's Bloody Devils (1970), as well as an appearance in 1968 on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.

Before he became a platinum-selling pop star in the 1970s, Barry Manilow sang the commercial jingle "Get a Bucket of Chicken",[39] which was later included on Barry Manilow Live as part of "A Very Strange Medley."

Throughout the mid 1980s, KFC called on Will Vinton Studios to produce a series of humorous, claymation ads. These most often featured a cartoon-like chicken illustrating the poor food quality of competing food chains, mentioning prolonged freezing and other negative aspects.[40] TV ads also featured Foghorn Leghorn advising Henery Hawk to visit the restaurant for better chicken.

In the 1980s, KFC was an associate sponsor for Junior Johnson's NASCAR Winston Cup Series cars, with such drivers as Darrell Waltrip, Neil Bonnett, and Terry Labonte.

A 1982 episode of Little House on the Prairie titled "Wave of the Future" featured a character presumed to be Col. Sanders offering Harriet Oleson a fried chicken franchise (perhaps a subliminal advertisement for KFC), but his character was credited as "Bearded Man" for legal reasons. This subplot was an anachronism as Sanders had not yet been born at the time the episode was set (the late 19th century).

In 1997, KFC briefly re-entered the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as sponsor of the No.26 Darrell Waltrip Motorsports Chevrolet with driver Rich Bickle at the Brickyard 400.

A co-branded Long John Silver's and KFC

By the late 1990s, the stylized likeness of Colonel Sanders as the KFC logo had been modified. KFC ads began featuring an animated version of "the Colonel" voiced by Randy Quaid with a lively and enthusiastic attitude. He would often start out saying "The Colonel here!" and moved across the screen with a cane in hand. The Colonel was often shown dancing, singing, and knocking on the TV screen as he spoke to the viewer about the product.

A KFC Take-away Trailer located in Sargodha, Pakistan

The animated Colonel is uncommon today. Still using a humorous slant, the current KFC campaign revolves mostly around customers enjoying the food. It also features a modified version of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" as the theme song for practically all its commercials, though the restaurant actually hails from Kentucky.

In 2006, KFC claimed to have made the first logo visible from outer space, though Readymix has had one since 1965.[41][42] KFC says "It marked the official debut of a massive global re-image campaign that will contemporize 14,000-plus KFC restaurants in over 80 countries over the next few years." The logo was built from 65,000 one-foot-square tiles, and it took six days on site to construct in early November. The logo was placed in the Mojave Desert near Rachel, Nevada.[43] It is located in the northern section of Rachel, Nevada at 37.6460°N 115.7507°W, a few miles from the eastern border of Area 51.

Many KFC locations are co-located with one or more of Yum! Brands restaurants, Long John Silver's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, or A&W Restaurants. Many of these locations behave like a single restaurant, offering a single menu with food items from both restaurants.[44]

Revival of Kentucky Fried Chicken old logo

One of KFC's latest advertisements is a commercial advertising its "wicked crunch box meal". The commercial features a fictional black metal band called "Hellvetica" performing live, the lead singer then swallows fire. The commercial then shows the lead singer at a KFC eating the "wicked crunch box meal" and saying "Oh man that is hot".

Commercials in the early 2000s tried to imply that the abbreviation stands for Kitchen Fresh Chicken.[45] In 2007, the original, non-acronymic Kentucky Fried Chicken name was resurrected and began to reappear on company marketing literature and food packaging, as well as some restaurant signage.

In 2010, an advertisement was shown in Australia showing an Australian cricket fan giving West Indies fans KFC chicken to keep them quiet. The ad sparked a debate over racism in the ad, suggesting that all black people eat fried chicken. Fried chicken was eaten by black slaves[citation needed] because it was cheap and easy to make. Though KFC stated that it was "misinterpreted by a segment of people in the US",[46] the ad was later pulled from TV. However, several Australian commentators have expressed the opinion that the ad is not racist, because this is not a racial stereotype in Australia and the cricket fans in the ad are not African American, but West Indies cricket supporters (the West Indies cricket team was playing a Test cricket series against the Australian cricket team at the time of the ad).[47][48]

Also in 2010, Yum! signed a naming rights deal with the Louisville Arena Authority for Louisville's new downtown arena, which opened on October 10 of that year as the KFC Yum! Center. Reception

Environmental concerns

KFC in the US has been accused by Greenpeace of a large destruction of the Amazon Rainforest, because the supply of soy used for chicken food that KFC receives from Cargill has been traced back to the European KFC. Cargill has reportedly been exporting soy illegally for several years.[49] The Greenpeace organization researched the issue and brought it to the attention of the parent company YUM! Brands, Inc. The parent company denied the illegal operation, and said that their supply of soy is grown in parts of Brazil.[49] Greenpeace has called on KFC to stop purchasing soy from Cargill, to avoid contributing to the destruction of the Amazon.[49][50]

Trademark disputes

In 1971, Sanders sued Heublein Inc., KFC's parent company at the time, over the alleged misuse of his image in promoting products he had not helped develop. In 1975, Heublein Inc. unsuccessfully sued Sanders for libel after he publicly referred to their gravy as "sludge" with a "wallpaper taste".[51]

In May 2007, KFC (Great Britain) requested that Tan Hill Inn, in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom refrain from using the term 'Family Feast' to describe its Christmas menu,[52] although this problem was quickly resolved with the pub being allowed to continue use of the term.[53]

Animal rights

Protesters demonstrating outside a KFC restaurant in Royal Oak, Michigan

Since 2003, animal rights and welfare organizations, led by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have been protesting KFC‘s treatment of the animals used for its products. These groups claim that the recommendations of the KFC Animal Welfare Advisory Council have been ignored.[54] Adele Douglass, a former member of the council, said in an SEC filing reported on by the Chicago Times, that KFC "never had any meetings. They never asked any advice, and then they touted to the press that they had this animal-welfare advisory committee. I felt like I was being used."[55][56]

KFC responded by saying the chickens used in its products are bought from suppliers like Perdue Farms, Tyson Foods, and Pilgrim's Pride, and that these suppliers are routinely monitored for animal welfare violations.[57] Several PETA undercover investigations and videos of these and other KFC suppliers purporting to show chickens being beaten, ripped apart, and thrown against walls contradict KFC‘s claims.[58] PETA has criticised some of the practices of chicken breeders, such as beak trimming and overcrowding, but KFC says its suppliers meets UK legal requirements. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recommends a maximum stocking density of 34 kg—around 30 chickens—per square metre, and say that in circumstances where beak trimming needs to be carried out to prevent the birds injuring each other, only one third of the beak should be trimmed "measured from the tip towards the entrance of the nostrils".[59] PETA states that they have held more than 12,000 demonstrations at KFC outlets since 2003 because of this alleged mistreatment of chickens by KFC suppliers.[60]

In June 2008, KFC Canada agreed to PETA's demands for better welfare standards, including favoring suppliers who use controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK) of chickens, and other welfare standards as well as introducing a vegan sandwich at 65% of its outlets. PETA has called off its campaign against KFC Canada, but continues to demonstrate against KFC elsewhere in the world.[61]

Dispute over ingredients

In Summer 2011, a KFC franchisee serving Fiji, Kazi Foods, was forced to close down all three KFC locations in that country, due to the dispute over increasing duties and the eventual ban on the importation of specific key ingredients used to make the chicken; the restaurants closed as, without the ingredients, the chicken will not be up to KFC corporate standards.[62] International operations

According to the corporate website, KFC is present in 110 countries and territories around the world. It has in excess of 5,200 outlets in the United States and more than 15,000 units in other parts of the world.[63] An outlet opened in Nairobi, Kenya on August 2011. It is the first US- based fast food restaurant in the nation as well as in East Africa.[64] In December 2011 the first KFC was opened in Croatia, in Zagreb.[65]

Countries with KFC restaurants

KFC in Fujairah, UAE

See also

 List of fast food restaurants References

Footnotes

1. ^ a b Joe Bramhall. "KFC". Hoovers.com. Retrieved February 21, 2008. 2. ^ Doug Bennett, Jr.. "Kentucky‘s Colonel Sanders". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 28, 2007.[dead link] 3. ^ Kevin Beimers, Aimee Lingman. "Doing Chicken Right Since 1932". roadtrip.beimers.com. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 4. ^ KFC (2007). "The Pressure Cooker". KFC. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 5. ^ KFC (2007). "History". KFC. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 6. ^ Jenifer K. Nii (2004). "Colonel's landmark KFC is mashed". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 7. ^ I've Got A Secret interview, originally broadcast April 6, 1964 (rebroadcast by GSN March 30, 2008). 8. ^ "KFC taps 'Seinfeld' star, starts 'Wing Works' test". Nation's Restaurant News (Lebhar- Friedman). August 6, 2001. Retrieved January 26, 2011. 9. ^ Andrew Shanahan (October 28, 2005). "Anatomy of a dish: KFC Family Feast – eight pieces of chicken(known as the "finger lickin chicken"), four regular fries, gravy and corn cobettes, £9.99". the Guardian (UK). Retrieved January 17, 2008. 10. ^ "KFC bolsters security – for secret recipe". CNN Money. September 9, 2008.[dead link] 11. ^ According to a profile of KFC done by the Food Network television show Unwrapped. 12. ^ Schreiner, Bruce, Associated Press (September 9, 2008). "KFC shoring up security for secret recipe". Yahoo! News. Retrieved September 21, 2008. 13. ^ a b Ozersky, Josh (September 15, 2010). "KFC's Colonel Sanders: He Was Real, Not Just an Icon". Time. Retrieved September 18, 2010. 14. ^ Bulleit, Jim. "KFC'sSecret Recipe Returns Home". WLKY. Retrieved March 9, 2009. 15. ^ "Colonel‘s recipe returns to KFC". Business First of Louisville. February 10, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009. 16. ^ Poundstone, William (1983). Big Secrets: The Uncensored Truth About All Sorts of Stuff You are Never Supposed to Know. New York: Morrow. pp. 228 pages. ISBN 0-688- 02219-7. 17. ^ Poundstone, pp 20–21. 18. ^ a b Ritzer, George (2004). The McDondaldization of Society. New York: Pine Forge Press. p. 64. 19. ^ a b Dr. John S. Mahoney (2007). "Notes to Accompany Chapter 4 of Ritzer (McDonaldization)". Virginia Commonwealth University. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 20. ^ Jennifer Fermino (July 20, 2009). "Fryin' on a Wing and a Prayer". New York Post. 21. ^ Wepman, Dennis. "Dave Thomas". American National Biography Online. Retrieved April 22, 2009. 22. ^ "Nutrition – Grilled Chicken". 23. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | grilled twister". Kfc.de. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 24. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | grilled twister". Kfc.nl. Archived from the original on June 3, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 25. ^ All Time Classics. "Toasted Twisters made wrapped in a Warm Flour Tortilla grilled to seal in the flavour – KFC.co.uk". Kfc.co.uk. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 26. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | grilled mexican twister". Kfc.de. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 27. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | grilled mexican twister". Kfc.nl. Archived from the original on June 14, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 28. ^ All Time Classics. "Spicy Toasted Twister with Hot Salsa wrapped in a Warm Flour Tortilla grilled to seal in the flavour – KFC.co.uk". Kfc.co.uk. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 29. ^ Kelly, Sean (April 13, 2009). "The Wrapstar: Review". Pictou County, Nova Scotia: The News. Retrieved April 25, 2010. 30. ^ "Non-broadcast Adjudications: Kentucky Fried Chicken (Great Britain) Ltd t/a KFC". Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom). February 20, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2009. 31. ^ Alex Davis for the Louisville Courier-Journal (2007). "KFC tries Kentucky fried fish". Archive. Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 32. ^ "Promos – KFC". kfc.co.nz. Retrieved October 13, 2009. 33. ^ "KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken | chili cheese fries". Kfc.de. Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 34. ^ "Little Bucket Parfaits". KFC.com. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 35. ^ Peter O. Keegan (1993). "Rotisserie Gold media blitz storms nation". Nations Restaurant News. Retrieved August 21, 2007. 36. ^ January 4, 2008 (January 4, 2008). "YouTube – KFC Chicken Littles 1987 TV Commercial". Youtube. Retrieved March 13, 2009. ^ Webb Howell, (2000). "Power to the People". QSR Magazine. Archived from the original on OctoSubway (restaurant)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Subway

The Subway logo since 2002

Type Privately held company Industry Restaurants Genre Fast food Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. Founded (August 28, 1965) Founder(s) Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck Headquarters Milford, Connecticut, U.S. Number of 35,842 restaurants in 98 locations countries[1] Fred DeLuca (President) Key people Millie Shinn (EVP) David Worroll (Controller) Subs Salads Products Pizzas Other food products, breakfast buffet Revenue $16.2 billion US$ (2010) Owner(s) Doctor's Associates, Inc.

Website http://subway.com

Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches (subs) and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. (DAI). Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,842 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of December 20th, 2011.[1] It is the largest single-brand restaurant chain globally and is the second largest restaurant operator globally after Yum! Brands (over 37,000 locations).[2][3][4] Subway's main operations office is in Milford, Connecticut; five regional centers support Subway's growing international operations. The regional offices for European franchises are located in Amsterdam, Netherlands; the Australia and New Zealand locations are supported from Brisbane, Australia; the Asian locations are supported from offices located in Beirut, Lebanon, Singapore and India and the Latin America support center is in Miami, Florida. In the United Kingdom and Ireland the company hopes to expand to 2,010 restaurants by some time in 2011.[5]

Contents

[hide]

 1 Doctor's Associates  2 History  3 Products o 3.1 Nutritional content  4 Advertising o 4.1 $5 Footlongs o 4.2 Sub Club  5 Controversies o 5.1 Sandwich size o 5.2 Franchise relations o 5.3 UK VAT treatment o 5.4 Casey's trademark case against Subway  6 References  7 External links

[edit] Doctor's Associates

Doctor's Associates, owners of Subway, was founded by Fred De Luca and Peter Buck in 1966, when they opened the second Subway restaurant in New York.[6] The name comes from the fact that Buck holds a PhD. Despite their name, Doctor's Associates has nothing to do with any medical organization.[7] [edit] History

Subway's original logo used from 1968 to 2002.

Fred De Luca borrowed $1,000 from family friend Peter Buck to start his first sandwich shop on August 28, 1965.[8]

Subway restaurant, Pittsfield Township, Michigan

Subway restaurants have been consistently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine's Top 500 Franchises, and Subway was selected as the No.2 overall franchise in 2008. Additionally, it was ranked as the No.3 "Fastest Growing Franchise", and the No.1 "Global Franchise" as well.[9] In March 2011, Subway was ranked the most popular Fast-Food Restaurant in the United States of America in a poll of over 43 thousand users.[10]

At end of 2010, Subway restaurant surpassed McDonald's restaurant with 33,749 restaurants across the globe and 32,737 restaurants respectively, but by revenue McDonald's was still ahead of Subway.[11] [edit] Products

A SUBWAY Club 6" sandwich.

White chocolate chip macadamia nut (left) and double chocolate chip cookies. Subway's core product is the submarine sandwich or "Sub", a long roll akin to a soft baguette and filled with meat, cheese and vegetables. In addition to these, the chain also serves wraps and salad as well as baked goods including cookies, donuts and muffins. Menu items vary between countries and markets, however Subway's worldwide signature products include:[12]

 Italian BMT  Steak & Cheese  Meatball Marinara  Chicken Teriyaki  Subway Club  Chicken & Bacon Ranch

The chain's biggest selling sandwich[13], the BMT contains pepperoni, salami and ham and the name originally stood for Brooklyn Manhattan Transit, but now stands for Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest.[14]

In 2006, the first kosher Subway restaurant in the United States opened in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Subway spokesman Jared Fogle was in attendance at the opening. "With slight modifications, such as no pork-based products, and the use of soy-based cheese product, the menu is virtually identical to that of any other Subway restaurant."[15] Since then, kosher Subways have opened in New York, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Baltimore,[16] and plans have been announced for Milwaukee, Boston.[17] Kosher stores opened on Wall Street and in Livingston, NJ have since closed.[18]

There had been 21 Subway restaurants in Israel; now there are 8.[19]

Most Subway restaurants in Muslim countries offer a halal menu for its local consumers. Non local customers must purchase from an alternative menu. There are also at least two Subway restaurants in the United States that do the same, three in Canada, and over one hundred in the United Kingdom. Subway is planning to open more halal restaurants.[20]

Subway also offers items other than sandwiches; breakfast items include such baked goods as bagels, egg & sausage sandwiches, and as of July and August 2006, "personal pizzas" are available in select markets to their menu. The personal pizzas are made upon order (as with their sandwiches) and heated "in less than 90 seconds" (cooking for 85 seconds) as advertised on televised commercials. Breakfast and pizza items are only available in some stores. Most stores offer additional toppings upon request. In November 2009, Seattle's Best Coffee announced that they'd signed an agreement to serve freshly brewed coffee as part of Subway's breakfast offerings.[21]

The 2009 Zagat Fast-Food Survey rated Subway as the best provider of "Healthy Options" in the Mega Chain category. Subway was also first in the "Best Service" and "Most Popular" categories, although it was second overall behind Wendy's.[22]

[edit] Nutritional content In 2011, Subway introduced gluten-free bread and brownies at some locations in Texas.[23] The company also cut the salt content in its sandwiches by 15 percent.[24]

In the UK and Ireland, the Subway chain has reducedPizza Hut

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and

removed. (May 2011) Pizza Hut

Wholly owned subsidiary

Type Public

Industry Restaurants Founded Wichita, Kansas (1958)

Founder(s) Dan and Frank Carney Headquarters Plano, Texas, U.S.[1] David C. Novak, Chairman Key people Scott Bergren, President Italian-American cuisine Products pizza · pasta · desserts Employees 30,000+ PepsiCo (1977–1997)

Parent Yum! Brands (1997–present)

Website Pizzahut.com

Pizza Hut (corporately known as Pizza Hut, Inc.) is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread. Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., the world's largest restaurant company.[2][dead link] According to its corporate website, there are more than 6,000 Pizza Hut restaurants in the United States, and more than 5,600 store locations in 94 other countries and territories around the world.[3]

Contents

[hide]

 1 Concept and format  2 History  3 Products  4 Advertising o 4.1 Pasta Hut o 4.2 Sponsorship o 4.3 Book It! o 4.4 Nutrition  5 See Also  6 References  7 External links

[edit] Concept and format

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and

removed. (January 2011)

Pizza Hut store (with distinctive roof) in Athens, Ohio, typical of U.S. Pizza Hut restaurants

Pizza Hut is split into several different restaurant formats; the original family-style dine-in locations; store front delivery and carry-out locations; and hybrid locations that offer carry-out, delivery, and dine-in options. Many full-size Pizza Hut locations offer lunch buffet, with "all- you-can-eat" pizza, salad, bread sticks, and a special pasta. Additionally, Pizza Hut also has a number of other business concepts that are different from the store type; Pizza Hut "Bistro" locations are "Red Roof"s which offer an expanded menu and slightly more upscale options. "Pizza Hut Express" and "The Hut" locations are fast food restaurants. They offer a limited menu with many products not found at traditional Pizza Huts. These type of stores are often paired in a colocated location with a sibling brand such as Wing Street, KFC or Taco Bell, and are also found on college campuses, food courts, theme parks, and in stores such as Target.

Vintage "Red Roof" locations can be found throughout the United States, and quite a few exist in the UK and Australia. Even so, many such locations offer delivery/carryout service. This building style was common in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The name "Red Roof" is somewhat anachronistic now, since many locations have brown roofs. Dozens of "Red Roofs" have closed or been relocated/rebuilt. Many "Red Roof" branches have beer if not a full bar, music from a jukebox, and sometimes an arcade. In the mid 1980s, the company moved into other successful formats including delivery/carryout and the fast food "Express" model.

The oldest continuously operating Pizza Hut in the world is in Manhattan, Kansas, in a shopping and tavern district known as Aggieville near Kansas State University. [edit] History

The plaque on the first Pizza Hut building which was sometimes seen on the box. It was shown from 1970 to 1985. Main article: History of Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut's prototype version of a restaurant (1958–1961) at Wichita State University. This was only used at four prototype Pizza Hut locations. There are only a few menu items on this version.

Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in their hometown of Wichita, Kansas.[4] When a friend suggested opening a pizza parlor, they agreed that the idea could prove successful, and they borrowed $600 from their mother to start a business with partner John Bender.[citation needed] Renting a small building at 503 South Bluff in downtown Wichita and purchasing secondhand equipment to make pizzas, the Carneys and Bender opened the first "Pizza Hut" restaurant; on opening night, they gave pizza away to encourage community interest. They chose the name "Pizza Hut" since the sign they purchased only had enough space for nine characters and spaces.[5] Additional restaurants were opened, with the first franchise unit opening in 1959 in Topeka, Kansas. The original Pizza Hut building was later relocated to the Wichita State University campus.[6]

Dan and Frank Carney soon decided that they needed to have a good standard image. The Carney brothers contacted Wichita architect Richard D. Burke, who designed the distinctive mansard roof shape and standardized layout, hoping to counter competition from Shakey's Pizza, a chain that was expanding on the west coast.[7] The franchise network continued to grow through friends and business associates, and by 1964 a unique standardized building appearance and layout was established for franchised and company-owned stores, creating a universal look that customers easily recognized.

By 1972, with 314 stores nationwide, Pizza Hut went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock ticker symbol NYSE: PIZ. In 1978, Pizza Hut was acquired by PepsiCo, who later also bought KFC and Taco Bell. In 1997, the three restaurant chains were spun off into Tricon, and in 2001 joined with Long John Silver's and A&W Restaurants to become Yum! Brands.

The Pasta Bravo concept was acquired in 2003 from Pasta Bravo, Inc. of Aliso Viejo, Calif for $5 million to pair with Pizza Hut.[8] [edit] Products

Pizza Hut in Santiago, Chile.

Pizza hut restaurant in Larnaca, Cyprus

Buffalo wings

In America, Pizza Hut sells "Stuffed Crust" pizza, with the outermost edge wrapped around a cylinder of mozzarella cheese; "Hand-Tossed," more like traditional pizzeria crusts; "Thin 'N Crispy", a thin, crisp dough which was Pizza Hut's original style; "Dippin' Strips pizza", a pizza cut into small strips that can be dipped into a number of sauces; and "The Edge pizza," where the toppings nearly reach to the edge of the pizza. There was also formerly a crust that was not as thick as Pizza Hut's pan pizza, and not as thin as its thin crust. This crust was used on the Full House XL pizza and discontinued in 2007. There are regional differences in the products and bases sold. [9]

Pizza Hut experiments with new products frequently, with less successful ones being discontinued. These include the initially popular two-foot by one-foot square cut pizza Bigfoot, the 16" Big New Yorker, made with a sweet sauce, the Chicago Dish Pizza and Sicilian pizza, the latter also offered in 2006 as Lasagna Pizza. Other products Pizza Hut has offered are the "P'zone", Pizza Hut's version of the calzone; the Cheesy Bites pizza, similar to the Stuffed Crust pizza except the crust has been divided into 28 bite-sized pieces that can be pulled apart; and the Insider pizza, where a layer of cheese is in between two layers of dough. Another limited time offer was a Double Deep pizza with double the toppings and 50% more cheese, with the crust wrapped over the top to hold in all the toppings. In 1985 Pizza Hut introduced the Priazzo,[10] a two-crusted Italian pie that resembled a deep-dish pizza. Varieties included Priazzo Milano, a blend of Italian sausage, pepperoni, beef, pork fillings, a hint of bacon, mozzarella and cheddar cheese; Priazzo Florentine, a light blend of five cheeses with ham and a touch of spinach, and Priazzo Roma, stuffed with pepperoni, mushrooms, Italian sausage, pork filling, onions, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. The double-crusted pie was topped with a layer of tomato sauce and melted cheese. The Priazzo was introduced by a $15 million advertising campaign, but proved too labor-intensive and was removed from the menu several years later.

Depending on the individual restaurant size, Pizza Huts also may offer pasta dinners such as spaghetti and Cavatini – a mixture of Cavatelli (shells), Rotini (spirals), and Rotelle (wheels).

Pizza Hut Bistro concept location located in Indianapolis.

A new, upscale concept was unveiled in 2004, called Pizza Hut Italian Bistro. Unveiled at fifty locations nationwide, the Bistro is similar to a traditional Pizza Hut, except that new, Italian themed dishes are offered, such as penne pasta, chicken pomodoro, toasted sandwiches and other foods.[11] Instead of black, white, and red, Bistro locations feature a burgundy and tan motif.[12] Pizza Hut Bistros still serve the chain's traditional pizzas and sides as well. In some cases, Pizza Hut has replaced a "Red Roof" location with the new concept.

Pizza Hut on May 9, 2008, created and sold in Seattle, Denver, and Dallas, "The Natural", featuring organic ingredients. This was discontinued on October 27, 2009 in the Dallas market.[13] It has since launched a nationwide advertising campaign. Also in 2008, Pizza Hut created their biggest pizza ever, the Panormous Pizza.

A small Pizza Hut offering takeaway and delivery only in Bramley, Leeds, UK. Pizza Hut introduced stuffed pan pizza on August 23, 2009. Unlike a regular stuffed crust pizza, cheese is not inside the crust, just pressed into the pan crust. Pizza Hut introduced the Big Italy, a pizza that is almost two feet long on August 22, 2010.

In 2010, Pizza Hut came under fire when its supplier of palm oil, Sinar Mas, was exposed to be illegally slashing and burning the Paradise Forests of Indonesia to plant palm oil plantations.[14] [edit] Advertising

Long-time/former Pizza Hut logo (1967–1999). Many older locations started with an earlier 1965 logo but were soon upgraded. Some locations still use this logo.

Pizza Hut's very first ad was "Putt Putt to Pizza Hut". It starts with a man apparently ordering take-out and driving his 1965 Mustang JR to Pizza Hut, while some of the townspeople start chasing him. He picks up his pizza and goes to his house, when all of the people who were chasing him start eating all the pizza except the man who ordered it. Frustrated, he calls Pizza Hut again.

Until early 2007, Pizza Hut's main advertising slogan was "Gather 'round the good stuff", and was "Now You're Eating!" from 2008 to 2009. The advertising slogan is currently "Your Favorites. Your Pizza Hut." Pizza Hut does not have an official international mascot, but at one time, there were commercials in the United States called 'The Pizza Head Show.' These commercials ran from 1993 to 1997 and were based loosely on the Mr. Bill shorts from Saturday Night Live in the 1970s. The ads featured a slice of pizza with a face made out of toppings called 'Pizza Head'. In the 1970s Pizza Hut used the signature red roof with a jolly man named "Pizza Hut Pete". Pete was on the bags, cups, balloons and hand puppets for the kids. In Australia during the Mid to late 1990s, the advertising mascot was a delivery boy named Dougie, with boyish good looks who, upon delivering pizza to his father, would hear the catchphrase "Here's a tip: be good to your mother".

Pizza Hut sponsored the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II, and offered a free pair of futuristic sunglasses, known as "Solar Shades", with the purchase of Pizza Hut pizza. Pizza Hut also engaged in product placement within the film itself, having a futuristic version of their logo with their trademarked red hut printed on the side of a mylar dehydrated pizza wrapper in the McFly family dinner scene, and appear on a storefront in Hill Valley in the year 2015.[15] The 1990 NES game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game, came with a coupon for a free pizza. The game was filled with Pizza Hut advertising (the first ever console video game with product placement) and pizza that would refill the character's life.

In 1994, Donald Trump and ex-wife Ivana Trump starred in a commercial. The ending of the commercial showed Ivana Trump asking for the last slice, to which Donald replied, "Actually dear, you're only entitled to half", a play on the couple's recent divorce.

In 1995, Ringo Starr starred in a Pizza Hut commercial which also featured The Monkees. Rush Limbaugh also starred in a Pizza Hut commercial the same year, where he boasts that "nobody is more right than me," yet he states that for the first time he will do something wrong, which was to participate in Pizza Hut's then "eating pizza crust first" campaign regarding their stuffed crust pizzas.

Talk show host Jonathan Ross, co-starred in an ad with American model, Caprice Bourret. They were used to advertise the stuffed crust pizza, with Jonathan Ross saying "Stuffed Cwust", to which is a play on Jonathan's pronunciation of 'R's.

Another UK ad shows British Formula One driver visit a Pizza Hut restaurant and order a pizza, with famous F1 commentator Murray Walker visiting with him, and narrating as though it was a Formula One race. As Hill is about to finish his meal, Walker, in a play on Hill's 1994 & 1995 seasons where he was runner up in the Formula One World Championship both won by Michael Schumacher, shouts "And Hill finishes second, again!" at which Hill grabs Walker by his shirt and shakes him angrily, Walker proclaiming, in his usual tones, "He's lost it! He's out of control!"

Following England's defeat to Germany on penalties in the semi-finals of Euro 96, Gareth Southgate, Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle featured in an advert. The advert shows Southgate wearing a paper bag over his head in shame as he was the one, who missed the crucial penalty against the Germans. Waddle and Pearce, who both missed penalty kicks in Italia 90 are ridiculing him, emphasising the word 'miss' at every opportunity. After Southgate finishes his pizza he takes off his paper bag, heads for the door and bangs his head against the wall. Pearce responds with, "this time he's hit the post".

In 1997, former Soviet Union Premier Mikhail Gorbachev starred in a Pizza Hut commercial to raise money for the Perestroyka Archives. In recent years, Pizza Hut has had various celebrity spokespeople, including Jessica Simpson, the Muppets, and Damon Hill and Murray Walker. Recent commercials have Queen Latifah providing the voiceover. Also in 1997, Pizza Hut, reunited "greatest of all time boxer" Muhammad Ali with trainer Angelo Dundee in a sentimental made for Super Bowl commercial.

In 1999 The Sega developed Dreamcast game, Crazy Taxi, Pizza Hut was one of the locations that players were able to drive to and drop off customers. However, in the 2010 re-release of the game for Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, all of the product placement, including the Pizza Hut locations were removed.[16] Pizza Hut sponsored the first space pizza delivery in 2001 to the International Space Station (ISS), and paid for their logo to appear on a Russian Proton rocket in 2000, which launched the Russian Zvezda module.[17]

January 2003 saw Pizza Hut's Advert's Slogan Called "Eat. Laugh. Share." the Commercials are Created By Head Gear Animation as of January 2007 the New Commercial we caled The "4 For All" At The End of the "Excitement" Commercial. Hew Open and Closes the Pizza Hut Box to reveal an Underwater while saying "¿Se puede tener un Pizza Pan" The Subtitles with a the words "Can you Have a Pan Pizza" in it Early 2007 saw Pizza Hut move into several more interactive ways of marketing to the consumer. Utilizing mobile phone SMS technology and their MyHut ordering site, they aired several television commercials (commencing just before the Super Bowl) containing hidden words that viewers could type into their phones to receive coupons. Other innovative efforts included their "MySpace Ted" campaign, which took advantage of the popularity of social networking, and the burgeoning user-submission marketing movement via their Vice President of Pizza contest.

As of October 2009, Pizza Hut is advertising its WingStreet brand on a nationwide basis, having met its internal requirement of 80% of stores having the product available.

[edit] Pasta Hut

Pasta Hut logo (2008–present)

On April 1, 2008, Pizza Hut in America sent emails to customers advertising that they now offer pasta items on their menu. The email (and similar advertising on the company's website) stated "Pasta so good, we changed our name to Pasta Hut!"[18] The name change was a publicity stunt held in conjunction with April Fools' Day, extending through the month of April, with the company's Dallas headquarters changing its exterior logo to Pasta Hut.[19] This name change was also used to promote the new Tuscani Pasta line and new Pizza Hut dine-in menu. The first Pasta Hut advertisement has the original Pizza Hut restaurant being imploded, and recreated with a sign saying "Pasta Hut" placed on the building.

[edit] United Kingdom

Pizza Hut in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

New Pizza Hut logo that is in use in Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom

Countries with Pizza Hut outlets

In the United Kingdom, Pizza Hut announced it would be changing its name to Pasta Hut in October 2008, six months after the US 'April Fool' trial.[20] This was announced as being a temporary name change to reflect the chain's new emphasis on healthier foods.[20] On January 19, 2009, Pizza Hut announced that the Pasta Hut trial had ended and that the names of all stores previously converted to Pasta Hut would be converted back to Pizza Hut, following an online poll in which 81% chose to keep the Pizza Hut name.[21]

[edit] Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, aside from the Pizza Hut restaurants, there is another brand called "PHD - Pizza Delivered Hot by Pizza Hut." This brand is only for food courts at malls and for express delivery. This was created to compete on the "fast food" market while restaurants will concentrate in casual food.

[edit] Southeast Asia

In Southeast Asia, aside from Pizza Hut restaurants, there is a subsidiary brand called "PHD - Pizza Delivered Hot by Pizza Hut," only for food courts at malls and for express delivery. Pizza varieties are changed to suit local tastes; pasta products with similarly Asian tastes are also sold in Indonesia. In Singapore, Pizza Hut have sold a baked rice dish called Curry Zazzle.[22][23]

[edit] Sponsorship

 In the early 1990s, as part of PepsiCo's sponsorship of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (and its former moniker, The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour), Pizza Hut was included in the acknowledgment alongside Taco Bell and KFC, which PepsiCo owned at the time.  In 2000, Pizza Hut was a part-time sponsor of Galaxy Motorsports' #75 Ford in the then NASCAR Winston Cup Series, driven by Wally Dallenbach Jr.  Pizza Hut was the shirt sponsor of English football club Fulham F.C. for the 2001–02 season.  Terry Labonte drove selected events with Pizza Hut as the primary sponsor of his #44 car in 2005.  Pizza Hut purchased the naming rights to Major League Soccer club FC Dallas' stadium, Pizza Hut Park, prior to its opening in 2005. These were allowed to expire in January 2012.  In March 2007, Pizza Hut partnered with Verizon Wireless to offer a free LG mobile phone with the purchase of a Cheesy Bites Pizza.  Pizza Hut is a sponsor of the Newcastle Vipers ice hockey team for the 2007/08 EIHL season in the UK.  Pizza Hut is a sponsor of Children's Joy Foundation In The Philippines.  Pizza Hut Japan sponsored the anime Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, with their mascot, Cheese-kun, making cameos throughout the series.

[edit] Book It!

Pizza delivery HongKong

Pizza Hut has been a longtime sponsor of the "Book It!" program (started in 1985),[24] which encourages reading in American and Australian schools. Those who read books according to the goal set by the classroom teacher are rewarded with Pizza Hut coupons good for a free one- topping Personal Pan Pizza or discounted menu items. In the late 1980s, Pizza Hut threw free pizza parties for classes if all students met their reading goals. The program has been criticized by some psychologists on the grounds that it may lead to overjustification and reduce children's intrinsic interest in reading.[25] However, a study of the program found that participation in the program neither increased nor decreased reading motivation.[25] The program's 25th anniversary was in 2009. Book It! in Australia ceased in 2002 when Pizza Hut in Australia was removing its dine-in stores as Australians opt for take away pizza instead of dine-in.

[edit] Nutrition

This section requires expansion.

In the UK, Pizza Hut was criticised in 2007 for the high salt content of its meals, some of which were found to contain more than twice the daily recommended amount of salt for an adult. The meats that consumers demand for pizza toppings (pepperoni, sausage, bacon, etc.) are, likewise, salty and fatty meats.[26] To meet the Food Standards Agency 2010 target for salt levels in foods, between 2008 and 2010 the company removed over 15% of salt across its menu.[27] [edit] See Also

 History of Pizza Hut  Pizza Hut Bulgaria  Pizza Hut Korea [edit] References

1. ^ "Inside Pizza Hut's new headquarters in Plano". Retrieved 2011-03-10. 2. ^ "Yum Homepage". 3. ^ About us. Pizza Hut Inc. Retrieved 8 July 2011 4. ^ "Pizza Hut Inc. - Company History". Fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved 2011-12-16. 5. ^ "Pizza Hut web site - about the company".[dead link] 6. ^ "Original Pizza Hut - Wichita State University Campus Tour". 7. ^ Wasson, Andrew. "Who Designed the Roof". Dairy River. 8. ^ "Yum buys Pasta Bravo rights for P. Hut pairings". Nation's Restaurant News (Lebhar- Friedman). April 14, 2003. Retrieved 2011-01-26. 9. ^ PizzaHut.com — Menu 10. ^ Schoifet, Mark (1985). "Pizza Hut kicks off $15M Priazzo campaign". Nation's Restaurant News. 11. ^ "Pizza Hut licensee opens 'Italian bistro' concept". Nation's Restaurant News. April 4, 2005.[dead link] 12. ^ Jean Le Boeuf (March 9, 2007). "Three tomatoes to a capable Pizza Hut 'Bistro'". 13. ^ "in.Reuters.com, Pizza Hut rolling out all-natural pizza". May 10, 2008. 14. ^ http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/publications/forests/2010/S inar-Mas-Pulping-The-Planet.pdf 15. ^ Meld je aan of registreer je om een reactie te plaatsen! (2008-02-11). "Pizza Hut commercial with Back to the Future theme". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-12-16. 16. ^ "No Pizza Hut, Tower Records Or KFC In Crazy Taxi". siliconera. June 21, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2010. 17. ^ "Pitching products in the final frontier". CNN. June 13, 2001. Retrieved May 22, 2010. 18. ^ "Pasta Hut Is The New Name For Pizza Hut". 19. ^ "Pizza Hut renaming itself Pasta Hut for April Fool's.". Chicago Tribune. 20. ^ a b Pizza Hut has changed...its name to Pasta Hut - Pizza Hut press release, 06 Oct 2008 21. ^ "Customers vote for Pizza Hut". Pizza Hut UK Ltd. Retrieved 2009-06-05. 22. ^ "Delicious Pizza Hut Parchment Pasta". singapore-restaurant.com. 23. ^ "Baked Rice". pizzahut.com.sg. 24. ^ "— Our Story". Pizzahut.com. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2011-12-16. 25. ^ a b Flora, S. R., & Flora, D. B. (1999). Effects of extrinsic reinforcement for reading during childhood on reported reading habits of college students. Psychological Record, 49, 3–14. 26. ^ "Fast food salt levels 'shocking'". BBC News. October 18, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2010. 27. ^ "Pizza Hut FSA Commitments 2010/2011". Food Standards Agency. [edit] External links

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salt content across its entire range by 33% and has committed to further reductions in line with government targets, the only fast food chain in the UK to do so.[25] Additionally, the chain's range of Low Fat Subs is endorsed by the charity Heart Research UK. [26]

Key: Green = Countries currently with Subway restaurants [edit] Advertising

See also: Jared Fogle

Subway in Belo Horizonte.

Subway in Amherst, New York.

Subway uses the advertising slogan "Eat Fresh" to explain how every sandwich is made from freshly baked bread, using fresh ingredients, in front of the customer to their exact specification, by employees whom Subway terms "Subway Sandwich Artists".

In November 2007, Subway's US commercials featured the Peter Griffin character from Family Guy in which he extols the virtues of its new Subway Feast sandwich.[27] Subway has also used instant win competitions based on the game Scrabble as promotional tools. Subway was also seen in the 1996 film Happy Gilmore. Subway also has a product placement television advertisement campaign for the US series Chuck, ongoing since its first season. As ratings dwindled in the second season, a campaign to "save Chuck" was launched by fans, which involves purchasing a foot-long sandwich from Subway on April 27, 2009, the date of the season finale. Tony Pace, Subway's marketing officer, reportedly called it the best product placement the restaurant chain has done "in several years."[28]

[edit] $5 Footlongs

For more details on this topic, see Subway $5 footlong promotion.

In 2008, Subway began to offer "Five Dollar Foot-long" submarine sandwiches in the continental United States and Canada as a limited time only promotion. All footlongs were available for $5, excluding premium and double meat subs. "Five Dollar Footlongs" quickly became the company's most successful promotion ever. Upon the initial program's completion, customer response prompted Subway to create a permanent "Five Dollar Foot-long Everyday Value Menu" that includes some footlong sandwiches for $5 a piece. As of 2011, there has been a monthly rotating $5 footlong.[29] Which subs are permanently priced at $5 varies by market.

In October 2011 a similar promotion was launched in the United Kingdom. Customers can choose from a range of nine Subs and any drink for the price of £3 and £5 for the 6" and Footlong respectively.[30]

In Australia there is a permanent $7 Subway Footlong menu including: Meatballs, Seafood, Tuna, Veggie, Ham and Pizza.

[edit] Sub Club

Sub Club Cards and Sub Club stamps

In early June 2005, Subway announced that the popular customer rewards program would be phased out due to counterfeiting. Officially the Sub Club program has been discontinued in the US and Canada by Doctor's Associates.[31]

Participating Subway restaurants in U.S. and Canada now[when?] offer a "Subway Card" to customers, which functions as a stored-value cash card. In some states and provinces, the card also functions as a "Subway Rewards Card" allowing customers to earn points for free food and sandwiches. Unlike the Sub Club program, no other purchase is needed when redeeming points, and registered cards which are lost or stolen can be replaced.[32] Subway runs periodic promotions that provide free subs for preloading a Subway Card with certain dollar amounts, which are usually listed at mysubwaycard.com.

All stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland participate in the Subcard scheme, a loyalty card offering customers points with each spend at a Subway store, redeemable for free Subs and snacks. Unlike the US scheme, these cards cannot be used to store cash. The scheme is due to be rolled out in Germany and other parts of the EU from 2012.[citation needed] [edit] Controversies [edit] Sandwich size

On February 2, 2007, KNXV-TV with the help of the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures, reported that three Giant Sub Subway sandwiches, nominally each 3-foot (91 cm) 1 1 long, were only 2 feet 8 inches (81 cm), 2 feet 8 ⁄4 inches (81.9 cm), and 2 feet 8 ⁄2 inches (82.6 cm) long. The maximum variance in length allowed in that state is 3%, which on a 3-foot sub is 1.08 inches (2.7 cm). Upon further study, the report showed that the box designed to store 3 Subway's 3-foot sandwiches were only 2 feet 10 ⁄4 inches (88.3 cm) in length; shorter than the maximum allowable variance. In response to the report, Subway stated that they are currently in the process of reevaluating their advertising, promotional, training and packaging materials with regard to the specific or implied length of Giant Subs and are taking steps to advise their franchisees to only discuss with customers the approximate number of expected servings and not a specific length of measurement.[33]

[edit] Franchise relations

In 1995, Subway Sandwich Shops, Fred DeLuca, Peter Buck, and Doctor's Associates, Inc. were found guilty of a breach of contract. An Illinois jury awarded more than $10 million in damages to Nicholas and Victoria Jannotta after finding lease and contract violations.[34]

The U.S. House of Representatives' small-business committee studied the franchise industry 1992 to 1998. Dean Sagar notes: "Subway is the biggest problem in franchising and emerges as one of the key examples of every abuse you can think of."[35] In 1989, the U.S. Small Business Administration refused small-business loans to Subway franchise owners until Subway removed a contract clause giving Subway Corporate the power to seize and purchase any franchise without cause. John 'Mike' Weible, an award-winning franchise owner, was refused the purchase of a second unit. Weible withheld $25,000 in royalties. A Subway Corporate audit of his books indicated that Weible was underreporting sales and owed about $4,700, however an independent audit concluded that Subway actually owed him $200. A week later the company evicted Weible and sold his store for more than $70,000. Weible sued Subway for fraud and breach of contract. In 1993, a panel of arbitrators ruled in Weible's favor and awarded him $220,000.[35]

The Dallas Morning News reported on Subway's seizure of a soldier's Subway stores while he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006.[36][37] The stores were owned by Leon Batie, Jr., an Army reservist, who was called up to Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2005, three years after he bought his first Subway.[36][37] Batie alleged that Subway violated the U.S. Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. A federal lawsuit filed by Batie against Subway was dismissed. Batie then filed suit in state court in Dallas County, Texas. Both parties involved agreed to "mutually agreeable terms" confidentially in a January 2010 settlement.[38]

[edit] UK VAT treatment

In October 2010, Subway franchisees in the UK lost a high court appeal against paying standard VAT on all toasted subs, as enforced by HM Revenue and Customs. The result of this is that in the UK, a toasted sub attracts VAT, whereas a cold sub, eaten off the premises, does not. Competitors such as Greggs, Quiznos and McDonalds do not pay VAT on similar food.[39][40][41] [edit] Casey's trademark case against Subway

On January 31, 2011, Subway lawyer Valerie Pochron wrote to Casey's General Stores, a chain of Iowa-based convenience stores, demanding they cease using the term "footlong" in their advertisements for 12-inch sandwiches. Consequently, in February 2011, Casey's General Stores Inc. filed a lawsuit against Subway in U.S. District Court in Des Moines, seeking a legal declaration that the word "footlong" does not violate Subway's rights. Casey's further sought a declaration that the word "footlong' is a generic description of a sandwich measuring one foot, and that Subway's attempt to assert trademark rights is "frivolous litigation."[42][43] [edit] References

1. ^ a b "Explore Our World". Subway.com. Retrieved 2011-12-20. 2. ^ Subway publication (2011). "Official SUBWAY Restaurants Web Site". Subway Restaurants. Retrieved March 3, 2011. 3. ^ Joe Bramhall. "McDonald's Corporation". Hoovers.com. Retrieved August 23, 2007. 4. ^ Joe Bramhall. "YUM! Brands, Inc.". Hoovers.com. Retrieved August 23, 2007. 5. ^ Subway UK publication. "About Us". Doctor's Associates. Archived from the original on September 17, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2007. 6. ^ Doctor's Associates Inc. – Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information 7. ^ http://www.smallbusinessdelivered.com/smalltobigsubway.html 8. ^ Subway Franchises Rhode Island, MA and CT | Subway Development 9. ^ "2008 Fastest Growing Global Franchises". Entrepreneur Magazine. Retrieved February 24, 2008. 10. ^ "Subway is the most loved Fast Food Restaurant". Retrieved March 1, 2011. 11. ^ "Subway Passes McDonald's as Largest Fast-Food Chain in World". FOX Washington, DC. March 7, 2011. 12. ^ http://www.subway.com/Menu/MenuCategoryItems.aspx?CC=USA&LC=ENG&MenuT ypeId=1&MenuId=35 13. ^ Dennis, Guy (April 25, 2004). "Subway sets out to McDonald's". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved May 24, 2010. 14. ^ "Official SUBWAY Restaurants FAQs". www.Subway.com. Retrieved August 25, 2009. 15. ^ First Kosher Subway Restaurant Opens in Cleveland 16. ^ "Kosher Subway opens to rave reviews". Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. 17. ^ "Glatt kosher Subway list". TiyulTalk. Retrieved March 2, 2008. 18. ^ http://www.jta.org/news/article/2009/08/05/1007057/the-largest-us-kosher-restaurant- chain-is-subway 19. ^ http://www.skyscraperlife.com/bar-beret/23551-subway-return-israel.html 20. ^ "Subway goes halal". the Manchester Evening News (Manchester, England). March 8, 2007. Retrieved February 24, 2008. "SANDWICH chain Subway is to open two Halal- only stores in Manchester." 21. ^ Subway Restaurants to Brew Seattle's Best Coffee Exclusively 22. ^ "ZAGAT Survey Summary 2009 Fast-Food Restaurants Survey". QSR Magazine. Retrieved February 17, 2011. 23. ^ Roberson, Amanda. "Gluten-free items come to some Subway's in East Texas". KYTX CBS 19. Retrieved June 29, 2011. 24. ^ "Subway slashes salt in sandwiches". WHEC News 10. April 19, 2011. 25. ^ . July 2011. http://www.subway.co.uk/media/news/healthandwellbeing.aspx. 26. ^ [1]. 27. ^ Gail Schille (November 17, 2007). "Subway in 'Family Guy' promotion". the Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 24, 2008. "Fox's "Family Guy" has lined up its first national quick service restaurant promotion with Subway Restaurants, which will air a TV spot featuring the show's Peter Griffin and will promote the hit animated series online and in more than 22,000 locations."[dead link] 28. ^ "Subway: Good Night, and Good 'Chuck'". TV Week. April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009. 29. ^ Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance 30. ^ http://www.subway.co.uk/menu/subs/value-lunch/default.aspx 31. ^ SUBWAY Operations Manual (2008 ed.). Doctor's Associates. 2008. p. 17.25. 32. ^ "Subway Card FAQ". Retrieved November 1, 2009. 33. ^ Joe Ducey (June 26, 2007). "Sub-Standard". KNXV-TV (Phoenix, Arizona). Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2008. "His [Dennis Ehrhard] office [Phoenix Dept. of Weights and Measures] recently warned Subway, for shorting a customer and the ABC 15 Investigators found Subway was the biggest offender in our test." Video 34. ^ Robin Lee Allen (December 11, 1995). "Subway ordered to pay $10M in punitive damages to ex-landlord". Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved August 8, 2011. 35. ^ a b Richard Behar (March 16, 1998). "Why Subway Is 'The Biggest Problem In Franchising' That's the assessment of a congressional staffer who studied". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved August 8, 2011. 36. ^ a b Karen Robinson-Jacobs (June 21, 2009). "Soldier suing after being stripped of Subway restaurant franchises". Dallas News. Retrieved July 28, 2009.[dead link] 37. ^ a b "Soldier suing after being stripped of Subway restaurant franchises". tullylegal.com. 38. ^ Robinson-Jacobs, Karen. "Subway, soldier settle Dallas franchise dispute". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 39. ^ "Subway wrangle over VAT could be heading to high court". The Huddersfield Daily Examiner. January 4, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011. 40. ^ "Big butties, small mindedness". Taxation. October 20, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2011. 41. ^ "Subway VAT appeal: Subway loses". Howlader & Co. November 4, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2011. 42. ^ Welte, Melanie S. (February 14, 2011). "Iowa store chain sues Subway over 'footlong'". MSNBC. Retrieved February 17, 2011. 43. ^ "Casey's sues Subway over rights to 'footlong'". USA Today. July 16, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2011. [edit] External links Connecticut portal

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37. ber 18, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2007. 38. ^ "KFC owner sticks by its cooking oil". The Sydney Morning Herald. March 13, 2007. 39. ^ "Barry Manilow – BarryNet – His Music – Commercial Jingles". Barrynethomepage.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011. 40. ^ Animate Clay!. "Vinton Studio Commercials". Animate Clay!. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2009. 41. ^ KFC (2006). "KFC Creates World's First Brand Visible from Space". Press Release. KFC. Archived from the original on December 24, 2006. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 42. ^ Stephen Hutcheon (December 13, 2006). "Giant Nullarbor logo zooms back into focus". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 43. ^ "KFC Unveils New Logo with Giant Image in Nevada Desert". Associated Press. Fox News. November 14, 2006. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 44. ^ Melanie Warner (July 11, 2005). "Diners Walk Through One Door and Visit Two Restaurants". New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2007. "Yum's multibranded stores have two illuminated logos, but they function as one restaurant. They have combined kitchens, a single line of cashiers and a staff trained to prepare both sets of menu items." 45. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_company_name_etymologies#K 46. ^ "KFC ad labelled 'racist' by US commentators". news.com.au. January 6, 2010. 47. ^ Schloeffel, James (January 11, 2010). "KFC ad a storm in a fried chicken bucket". The Age. 48. ^ "KFC advertisement branded as racist". Retrieved February 1, 2011. 49. ^ a b c Greenpeace (2006). "KFC exposed for trashing the Amazon rainforest for buckets of chicken". Greenpeace. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 50. ^ Brazil Magazine (2006). "KFC's Secret Ingredients Include Soy That's Destroying the Amazon, Says Greenpeace". Brazil Magazine. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 51. ^ Kleber, John E.; Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter (June 1992). The Kentucky Encyclopedia. University Press of Kentucky. p. 796. ISBN 0-81311- 772-0. 52. ^ "Pub Fights KFC for 'Family Feast'". BBC. May 10, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2008. 53. ^ Porter, John (May 10, 2007). "KFC lets Yorkshire pub keep its family feast". The Publican. Retrieved September 17, 2008. 54. ^ Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Johan Raj, Dr. Ian Duncan (2005). "Animal welfare recommendations and proposed plan of action for implementation at KFC suppliers" (PDF). People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 55. ^ Securities and Exchange Commission (2006). "Relating to an Animal Welfare Standards Report – Shareholder Proposal". EDGAR Online, Inc.. Retrieved October 28, 2007.[dead link] 56. ^ David Montgomery (2003). "Small But Mighty Rights Group Tries Gentler Approach". Archived. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 57. ^ CNN (October 17, 2003). "Pamela Anderson takes on KFC". CNN. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 58. ^ PETA (2005). "Undercover Investigations". PETA. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 59. ^ Andrew Shanahan (October 28, 2005). "Anatomy of a dish: KFC Family Feast – eight pieces of chicken (known as the "finger lickin chicken"), four regular fries, gravy and corn cobettes, £9.99". the Guardian (UK). Retrieved January 17, 2008. 60. ^ "PETA v. KFC – Campaign Highlights". PETA. Retrieved August 17, 2009. 61. ^ "'Kentucky Fried Cruelty' comes to an end". Edmontonsun.com. June 1, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2009. 62. ^ ABC Radio Australia: "KFC in a flap over Fiji ban", August 2, 2011. 63. ^ KFC (2007). "About Us". KFC. Retrieved July 7, 2011. 64. ^ Straziuso, Jason (2011-08-27). "KFC goes to Kenya; first U.S. fast-food chain in E. Africa". USA Today. 65. ^ "Kentucky Fried Chicken opens first Croatian branch". Croation Times. December 16, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011.

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