East Germany's automobile industry attempted to break into western automobile markets as early as 1948 with export versions of the former DKW F8 car. This move was initially welcomed as Auto Union - DKW did not have the resources to restart their own automobile production. However, once DKW was re-established in the early 1950s, the company initiated legal action against the East Germans for patent violation. This led VEB-IFA to withdraw from western markets. Once newer vehicles entered the East German market, such as the Wartburg and Trabant, the East Germans tried again. Both the Wartburg and Trabant managed to gain a toe-hold in Britain due to their very low price, but were never a significant competitor with English or continental brands.
It was only after Auto Union retired the DKW brand in favour of Audi, that the East Germans managed to really break back into the British market. As in Germany, there was a hard-core remnant steadfast in their enthusiasm for DKW's two-stroke engines. When DKW was retired in 1965, VEB-Wartburg were in position with their new 353 Wartburg Knight. Powered by a 1000cc triple cylinder two stroke, with an output of 50 horsepower. But these cars were not primitive in the manner of the post-war predecessors; they were modern, with excellent fittings, at an extremely reasonable price. The Knight Estate was particularly popular due to its utility. I know of former owners who fondly remember this car as 'the best car they ever owned' - in the 1980s.
British DKW Club reviews:
https://dkw-gbclubarchive.blogspot.com/2019/08/two-stroke-july-1971.html
https://dkw-gbclubarchive.blogspot.com/2019/08/two-stroke-sept-nov-1971.html
https://dkw-gbclubarchive.blogspot.com/2019/08/two-stroke-april-june-1971.html
https://dkw-gbclubarchive.blogspot.com/2019/08/two-stroke-june-1973.html
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