




DKW was a major supplier of 'generic' two-stroke motors for all manner of uses in other vehicles. The best known was probably Framo, the commercial tricycle manufacturer owned by DKW's founder, JS Rasmussen. Even after his sacking by the Auto Union AG board in 1934, Rasmussen continued to use DKW engines in Framo's various light trucks, tricycles and sedans. Kaiser Fahrzeugbau (automobile-works) was a small microcar manufacturer that developed a tube-frame tricycle between 1931 and 1935. Although many different engines were trialed, by the time the Kaiser-Stromlinien was production ready in 1935, the company had settled on DKW engines. Two engine options were available - a DKW 300cc single cylinder air-cooled motor engine, or a DKW 600cc water-cooled twin (used to power the DKW Reichklasse!). Given the tricycle's light weight, both engines were able to push the vehicle along at a decent clip.
Nevertheless, the Kaiser-Stromlinien did not sell well and its limited production had ceased by 1935. A major issue was the car's extravagant price - RM1295 in its cheapest format. This was at a time when the Volkswagen was being pitched at a maximum price of RM995. Most customers would have been content to continue with their motorcycle and saving their deposit for the long promised Volkswagen.
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