Characteristic of Magdeburg, accompanied by the development of new neighborhoods, was the Junkers engines.
The Junkers factory in Magdeburg Neue Neustadt developed milestones in engine construction, such as the opposed piston diesel aircraft engine and the first jet engines (1939).
More recently came out of the environment from Magdeburg engines in large numbers from the tractor and diesel engine plant Schönebeck.

Magdeburg has with the SKL Motor GmbH a traditional German diesel engine manufacturer.
The founding dates back to the year 1838.
The SKL marine engines worldwide work today their service.
SKL is now part of MTU Friedrichshafen.
In 1955 was created the Institute for Reciprocating Engines. Restructuring from 1991 led to reorganization of the institute and it bore the name: Department of Mechanical Metrology and piston engines (IMKO). The combination of the two chairs machines metrology and piston engines proved to be targeted and the Institute developed against all under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tschöke a valued partner of the automotive and supplier industry. 2006 the company merged with the Institute of Mechatronics and Drives (IMAT) to the Institute for Mobile Systems (IMS). The conversion of the Chair piston engines to the Chair energy conversion systems for mobile applications (EMA) in 2012, has a broader presence in the direction of electric mobility to the destination.