In 1957, all across Europe, motorcycle sales stuttered and then began a precipitous decline as their war ravaged economies recovered. People now wanted cars and motorcycles as the primary form of personal transport would be no more. DKW had not reclaimed her position as number one motorcycle manufacturer in Germany. NSU had grabbed that position. By 1957 DKWs motorcycle division was deep in the red and generating losses for the company. The company's investors had had enough and they sold their shares to Mercedes Benz, who was looking to break into the small car market. Mercedes Benz' first act as DKW's new owner was to sell DKW's motorcycle division. DKW motorcycles was purchased by the Nuremberg motorcycle manufacturer, Victoria, who along with the bankrupt Express company pooled together to form Zweirad Union. ZU would survive as a manufacturer of light motorcycles and mopeds into the 1980s. They were eventually bought out by Fitchel & Sachs.
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