Maschinenfabrik Zschopau (Machine Factory Zschopau; MZ) history goes back more than 100 years. In 1919, MZ developed the first two-stroke engine to be used on a bicycle.
In 1922, MZ built what is arguably the first motorcycle with a two-stroke engine and branded it DKW—Des Knaben Wunsch, which translates to The Boy’s Desire. Between 1922 and 1936, DKW motorcycles won 45 championships and Grand Prix races. By 1929, DKW was the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, producing 60,000 units annually.
During the 1960s, MZ motorcycles were one of the most successful brands in competition, winning the Six Day Trials Championships in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969 while also celebrating numerous victories in road racing.
MZ motorcycle production flourished behind the Iron Curtain, reaching two million units (combined) by 1983. However, when the Berlin Wall came down, the MZ motorcycles were not competitive with their Japanese and Western European counterparts.
Between 1992 and 2008, MZ struggled through liquidations, ownership changes, and high production costs. In 2009, new ownership emerged, with former World Championship motorcycle racers Martin Wimmer involved in racing management.
In 2010, MZ entered the Moto2 World Championship to prove that MZ is capable of building world-class motorcycles once again, and to introduce a new generation of motorcyclists to the MZ motorcycle brand.
MZ appears to be back. The MZ factory in Germany is busy preparing its third-generation Moto2 chassis, which will run the required Honda 600cc-spec engine, for the inaugural 2010 Moto2 season.
“In 1922, MZ built the first motorcycle with a two-stroke engine and branded it DKW. ”
On which planet did this happen??? MZ did not even exist until 1956!
DKW was mostly in WESTERN Germany after the war.
The DDR fascist government stole the DKW factory located in East Germany and renamed it IFA.
Do you even know what you are talking about???
MZ stared in 1906 as Maschinenfabrik Zschopau. We’ve rechecked the info and believe it to be accurate.
After World War II, the Zschopau factory, located in East Germany, was nationalized and became IFA, later renamed VEB Motorradwerk Zschopau (MZ) in 1956. DKW’s West German operations continued separately under Auto Union.