1952 CIA Information Report - IFA plant Zschopau

Central Intelligence Agency
Country: East Germany
Date: 9 September 1952
Subject: IFA plant Zschopau
No of Pages:
Date of Info: Second half of February 1952

[Introduction redacted]

1. Werk DKW (VVB Ifa) in Griessbach Post Willischthal near Zschopau (N51/K75) formerly produced motorcycles and engines. The plant was completely dismantled after the war, but resumed operation in late 1949.*

2. [part redacted] two rolling trains for pistons. The production program include the production of prisons, DKW RT125 type (125-cubic cm) motorcycles and stationary engines for agricultural and fire-fighting purpose. The production of a 350-cubic cm motorcycle, equipped with opposed piston engines (Boxermotor). Was scheduled. Some motorcycles of this type were already being tested. It is also planned to start the production of vehicles with plastic bodies, in late 1952. The plastics used have a linen lining. The bodies made of this material allegedly have proved usable and can be repaired in case of damage.**

3. No information is available concerning the productive capacity of the plant. It is only known that one hundred DKW RT 125-type motorcycles could be produced dally. However, only 50 to 60 units are actually produced daily due to difficulties in obtaining driving and gear chains. The production cost of the DKW RT 125 motorcycle is 1,050 eastmarks.***

4. Before the war the plant had 2,500 employees and produced at a rate of 250 engines per day. At present, the plant has about 900 employees. Work was done in two shifts in the piston department. The last shift ended at midnight. The remaining departments had a one-shift schedule. The former racing driver Scherzer (fnu) was a manager of the Customer Service Department of the Ifa Plant. He also conducted the training course for the plant salesmen, arranged by the HO.

*[redacted] Comment. Before its expropriation the reported plant belonged to the Auto Union Corporation and was known as the DKW Plant in Zschopau. It is now an enterprise of the VVB Ifa.

**[redacted] Comment. The DKW RT-125-type motorcycle is also mentioned in an advertising prospectus edited by the Ifa Plant in Zschopau. According to other information the engine produced for agricultural purposes is the EL 150-type DKW built-in engine (einbaumotor). Other types produced are the EL 208, EL 308. DW 900 and the ZW 1103.

***[redacted] Comment. The shortage of driving chains was mentioned in a previous report regarding the production of the Audi Plant in Zwickau (N51/K34). [redacted] It has also been reported that raw materials for the production of pistons are in seriously short supply. [redacted]


Commentary: Again the challenges of supply of critical parts and steel have disabled the recovery of East Germany's industries. It is interesting to read that experiments with plastic substitutes (Duraplast) are mentioned as occurring in Zschopau, which was always a motorcycle and engine plant. Prewar, DKW's Duraplast experiments had occurred in Spandau (Berlin) and Chemnitz. East Germany would reap the rewards of these experiments in the late 1950s.