When Siemens was still building cars
10/23/2011
Founded as Motorenfabrik Protos in 1898, the small company became part of Siemens, or more precisely Siemens-Schuckert-Werke, in 1908. Between 1905 and 1927, Protos produced cars that enjoyed a good international reputation. In 1908, a Protos took part in the long-distance race from New York to Paris.
In 1913, the range included a sports two-seater, a sports double-phaeton and a luxury sports saloon. Four-cylinder engines were used. The news from Siemens-Schuckerwerke GmbH and Siemens & Halske Aktiengesellschaften , which appeared in book form in 1913 and provided an overview of the Protos range, stated: "The camshaft drive is completely noiseless thanks to a new type of construction. The supply of the gas mixture produced in a Protos Zenith carburetor can be regulated both by a hand lever on the steering wheel and by an accelerator pedal ..."
Some of the 1913 vehicles already had a four-speed gearbox, power transmission via cardan shaft and good suspension "through the use of very long springs with a large number of thin leaves".
In addition to passenger cars, the 1913 product range also included electric vehicles, special vehicles and delivery vans.
Protos was sold to AEG in 1926 and the name "Protos" disappeared shortly afterwards.
