Ifa F9 1959

The IFA (Industrieverband Fahrzeugbau) was indeed a conglomerate of East German automotive manufacturers that succeeded the DKW brand after World War II. IFA was established in East Germany as a state-controlled organization in 1948, consolidating several automotive manufacturers into one entity. This conglomerate was created as part of the post-war division of Germany and was meant to help revive the East German economy and create an automotive industry in the Eastern Bloc.

Some of the key companies that were merged to form IFA included:

Auto Union: Auto Union was a pre-war German conglomerate that consisted of four brands - Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer. After World War II, the Soviet occupation authorities in East Germany took control of Auto Union, which included the DKW brand.
VEB (Volkseigener Betrieb) Sachsenring: This company was known for manufacturing motorcycles and later became a part of IFA, producing the iconic Trabant.
Under the IFA umbrella, various models were produced, but one of the most famous and enduring ones was the Trabant. The Trabant, often referred to as the "Trabi," was a small two-stroke engine car that became an iconic symbol of East Germany. It was produced by VEB Sachsenring, which later became part of IFA. The Trabant was produced in various models and versions, and it remained in production for several decades.

Another notable vehicle produced under the IFA brand was the Wartburg, which was manufactured by VEB Automobilwerk Eisenach. The Wartburg was a series of cars that were produced with different body styles and engine options, including two-stroke and four-stroke engines.

The IFA conglomerate also produced motorcycles, trucks, and other vehicles during its existence.

It's worth noting that IFA was dissolved in 1952, and the various vehicle manufacturers continued under different state-owned companies. For example, the Wartburg brand was continued by VEB Automobilwerk Eisenach, while the Trabant continued to be produced under VEB Sachsenring. These vehicles became some of the most recognizable and enduring symbols of East Germany during the Cold War era.