Prior to launch, rumors arose that Volkswagen would absorb cash strapped NSU. Even before the take over had been made public, the K70's future was threatened by management concerns that the K70 was too close in size and price to the recently launched Audi 100. Plans for the K70 launch were deferred at the last minute, with rumors that Volkswagen removed the K70 from NSU's show stand on the eve of the show. The NSU K70 was shown and advertised in Automobil Revue's 1969 Geneva Show yearbook, published in March 1969, with a note in the addenda stating that the K70 "will not be built for the time being" and will not be shown. In total, 23 pre-series K70s with NSU badging were built. BMW may have also been relieved, as the NSU K70 would have competed directly with their recently introduced 2002.