Volkswagen

Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, and is the flagship brand of the Volkswagen Group. The company manufactures a range of consumer vehicles, although it is best known for its iconic Beetle. Between 2016 and 2017, Volkswagen reached anthe achievement of being the largest automobile manufacturer by volume, selling close to 10.31 million vehicles worldwide.

More than just sales, the Volkswagen brand has become a cultural icon across North AmericanAmerica and Europe. Whether it is the curvy, timeless Beetle, which has become one of the most iconic cars in history; or it is the Volkswagen Bus, which became a symbol of the late 1960s "Hippie" movement; or it is the Volkswagen Golf, which has been credited with starting the "Hot Hatch" movement in Europe, Volkswagen's vehicles have often become pop culture icons.

Similarly, cultures have grown around their vehicles, especially in the case of "gear heads" and "hot hatch" enthusiasts who seek out older model cars, which can be modified by interested owners and then displayed at car meetups. Often theseThese meetups, or "scenes," tend to revolve around specific brands, of which Volkswagen tends to be a popular such brandone, due in part to its low cost and the capability to modify its older models.

Volkswagen was founedfounded in Germany in 1937 at the impetus of the government of Germany, and, more specifically, Adolf Hitler. The intent was to create a car whichthat invoked a sense of nationalism around the country and a car that was affordable, as few Germans drove a car at the time. The original name of the company - "Volkswagenwerk"company—Volkswagenwerk, or "the people's car company" - was—was intended to help develop the sense of nationalism around the car company. The original Volkswagen car was intended to be a mass producedmass-produced, speedy vehicle whichthat could be purchased for less than 1,000 Reich marks (or the equivalent of USD $140 at the time).

To provide the design for this vehicle, the German Labor Front (the Nazi organization which ran the company) tapped German automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche.apped German automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche. The first car, the KdF (Kraft-durch-Freude (Kraft-durch-Freude)-Wagen -, or "Strength-Through-Joystrength-through-joy" car -, would bewas developed for a few years before Volkswagen halted production to focus on military production during the Second World War.

After the conclusion of the Second World War, and with its factories in ruin, the Volkswagen name seemed to be on the verge of disappearing. However, thanks to the help of the Allies' efforts to resuscitate the German automotive industry, Volkswagen was revived. Despite taking a while to gain traction in sales in certain countries -, due to its Nazi connection -, Volkswagen was instructed by the British to build the Volkswagen saloon at the end of 1945. With the Type 1 and Type 2 models by 1950, Volkswagen became a symbol of Germany's econoimceconomic recovery.

In 1955, Volkswagen worked to enter the American market, but struggled with sales. In 1959, the company hired advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach to help popularize the Volkswagen Type 1, or Beetle. The Beetle would become one of the longest-running and most manufactured single carsingle-car platformplatforms ever. The popularity of the Beetle, along with other vehicles introduced into Volkswagen's lineup, would make the car company one of the best-known and best-selling in the world.

First produced in the 1930s, the Beetle (originally called Volkswagen Type 1) would become one of the most iconic cars of the brand, becoming even a symbol of the cultural change in the 1960s. Often affectionately known as the "Bug,", the car was a curvy, practical, affordable, and reliable vehicle, which, paired with its striking look, made the car an incredibly popular and successful car.

Although Volkswagen stopped producing the vehicle in the late 1970s, in 1998, the company revived the brand and rolled out the New Beetle, which was meant to be a visual flashback to the Type 1 design, but was ohterwiseotherwise essentially a Volkswagen Golf. In 2012, Volkswagen introduced another new variation of the Beetle, but, with sales steadily declining, the company once more announced andan end to production of the iconic car in 2019.

Volkswagen Golf Mk 1 was released in 1974.

Volkswagen launched the Mk 1 Golf in 1974. Intended as a replacement to the Beetle, the Golf had Giugiaro-penned origami styling, a front-transverse engine, and a front-wheel-drive layout,. theThe Golf has been considered Volkswagen's first successful attempt to replace the Beetle, and as a car whichthat set off a small car revolution. The Golf would become its own icon. The Mk 1 Golf GTI has since been credited with creating the popular "hot hatch" genre car enthusiasts enjoy.

Volkswagen Mk 8 Golf was released in 2020.

Since its launch, and through several generations, Volkswagen has sold more than 35 million Golfs, making it one of the best-selling nameplates of all time. Volkswagen has introduced various variants of the Golf, including the SportWagen and Golf Alltrack, which have focused on extending the Golf's capabilities by giving the car more cargo room or all-wheel-drive, depending on the driver's desires. Similarly, the GTI, and since the Golf R, badges have attracted hardcore car enthusiasts who want more speed from the hatchback. The various generations of the Golf include the following:

• Golf Mk 1 (1974-19831974–1983)
• Golf Mk 2 (1983 - 19921983–1992)
• Golf Mk 3 (1991 - 19981991–1998)
• Gold Mk 4 (1997 - 20031997–2003)
• Golf Mk 5 (2003 - 20082003–2008)
• Golf Mk 6 (2008 - 20142008–2014)
• Golf Mk 7 (2014 - 20202014–2020)
• Golf Mk 8 (2020-2020– )

One of Volkswagen's most iconic vehicles -, next to only the Beetle, perhaps -, was the VW Microbus. Designed by a Dutch importer in 1947, Volkswagen would releasereleased the Microbus in 1950 after some changes, and would immediately becomebecame a popular vehicle, with Volkswagen making over 9,500 of the vehicle in its first production year withand growing production over the next two decades. In 2022, attempting to build on the Microbus, Volkswagen re-introduced a similar model vehicle as an all-electric vehicle named the ID.

The Microbus would comecame in many variations that were both fun and outlandish:, such as a double-door panel van, a high-roof panel van, and the Samba-bus, which came with skylight windows and a cloth sunroof. One of the biggest selling pointpoints of the van was the ability for the owner to customize it to fit their individual needs, converting the base model to suit a range of purposepurposes, which saw owners add sinks, beds, or other useful outdoor accessories. The Microbus was not only popular, it had an impact on popular culture as the Microbus would become an icon of the hippie movement in the late 1960s. The vehicle would gethad many nicknames across various regions, including the Bully, Hippie-Van, Kleinbus, Rugbrod, Vee-Dub, and Camping-Car.

The Jetta began its nameplate as an afterthought; it was a slightly altered version of the popular Golf hatchback with extra space in an appended trunk. However, since then, the Jetta has become its own nameplate, one of Volkswagen's strongest sellingstrongest-selling cars, and has challenged some of the biggest manufacturers in the compact-sedan world. Generally, the Jetta has been known to provide good fuel economy in the base models, and offers a GLI variant (similar to the Golf GTI), which offers driver thrills. The first Jetta was introduced at the 1979 Frankfurt Auto Show.

Since then, the Jetta has gone through seven generations, which have built upon the success of the originally introduced Mk. 1. These successive generations have introduced changes, including more interior sophistication and a larger interior than the Golf to meet the demands of consumers looking to purchase a sedan. Through the 1990's1990s, to keep up with consumer demand, the Jetta featured more horsepower with updated deignsdesigns, safety, and interiors. Whereas, in the 2010s, the Jetta generations have instead beganbegun offering high-horsepower, fuel-efficient engines (with low emissions), along with various digital cockpit features (such as digital telematics and WiFi capability).

The Passat, initially launched in the 1970s, perhaps best encompasses the early vision of Volkswagen: practical vehicles for common people. Though the Beetle was launched in that spirit, it became so much more. The Passat, however, with its rather sedate trim with a slightly larger body, and minimalistic dashboard, which the first generation launched with perfectly encapsulated this ethic. To call the Passat boring may be considered a compliment. Over its lifetime, the Passat has continued to evolve, including new variations - suchvariations—such as a wagon for more stowage room or an all-wheel-drive drivetrain for various weather conditions - toconditions—to be styled at some points as a sporty vehicle or, at other times, to be a more comfort-focused vehicle. But throughout its lifetime, the Passat has been a mid-size sedan, whichthat has tried to offer more in terms of passenger comfort and features than the Jetta.

Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, and is the flagship brand of the Volkswagen Group. The company manufactures a range of consumer vehicles, although is best known for its iconic Beetle. Between 2016 and 2017, Volkswagen reached an achievement of being the largest automobile manufacturer by volume, selling close to 10.31 million vehicles worldwide.

More than just sales, the Volkswagen brand has become a cultural icon across North American and Europe. Whether it is the curvy, timeless Beetle, which has become one of the most iconic cars in history; or it is the Volkswagen Bus, which became a symbol of the late 1960s "Hippie" movement; or it is the Volkswagen Golf which has been credited with starting the "Hot Hatch" movement in Europe, Volkswagen's vehicles have often become pop culture icons.

Similarly, cultures have grown around their vehicles, especially in the case of "gear heads" and "hot hatch" enthusiasts who seek out older model cars which can be modified by interested owners and then displayed at car meetups. Often these meetups, or "scenes" revolve around specific brands, of which Volkswagen tends to be a popular such brand, due in part to its low cost and the capability to modify its older models.

Volkswagen was founed in Germany in 1937 at the impetus of the government of Germany, and, more specifically, Adolf Hitler. The intent was to create a car which invoked a sense of nationalism around the country and a car that was affordable, as few Germans drove a car at the time. The original name of the company - "Volkswagenwerk", or "the people's car company" - was intended to help develop the sense of nationalism around the car company. The original Volkswagen car was intended to be a mass produced, speedy vehicle which could be purchased for less than 1,000 Reich marks (or the equivalent of USD $140 at the time).

Advert for the original Volkswagen KdF-Wagen.

To provide the design for this vehicle, the German Labor Front (the Nazi organization which ran the company) tapped German automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche. The first car, the KdF (Kraft-durch-Freude)-Wagen - or "Strength-Through-Joy" car - would be developed for a few years before Volkswagen halted production to focus on military production during the Second World War.

After the conclusion of the Second World War, and with its factories in ruin, the Volkswagen name seemed to be on the verge of disappearing. However, thanks to the help of the Allies' efforts to resuscitate the German automotive industry, Volkswagen was revived. Despite taking a while to gain traction in sales in certain countries - due to its Nazi connection - Volkswagen was instructed by the British to build the Volkswagen saloon at the end of 1945. With the Type 1 and Type 2 models by 1950, Volkswagen became a symbol of Germany's econoimc recovery.

The infamous Volkswagen Beetle.

In 1955, Volkswagen worked to enter the American market, but struggled with sales. In 1959, the company hired advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach to help popularize the Volkswagen Type 1, or Beetle. The Beetle would become one of the longest-running and most manufactured single car platform ever. The popularity of the Beetle, along with other vehicles introduced into Volkswagen's lineup, would make the car company one of the best-known and best-selling in the world.

First produced in the 1930s, the Beetle (originally called Volkswagen Type 1) would become one of the most iconic cars of the brand, becoming even a symbol of the cultural change in the 1960s. Often affectionately known as the "Bug", the car was a curvy, practical, affordable, and reliable vehicle which, paired with its striking look, made the car an incredibly popular and successful car.

An original Beetle faces a 2012 redesign.

Although Volkswagen stopped producing the vehicle in the late 1970s, in 1998 the company revived the brand and rolled out the New Beetle, which was meant to be a visual flashback to the Type 1 design, but was ohterwise essentially a Volkswagen Golf. In 2012, Volkswagen introduced another new variation of the Beetle, but, with sales steadily declining, the company once more announced and end to production of the iconic car in 2019.

Volkswagen Golf Mk 1 released in 1974.

Volkswagen launched the Mk 1 Golf in 1974. Intended as a replacement to the Beetle, the Golf had Giugiaro-penned origami styling, front-transverse engine, and front-wheel-drive layout, the Golf has been considered Volkswagen's first successful attempt to replace the Beetle, and as a car which set off a small car revolution. The Golf would become its own icon. The Mk 1 Golf GTI has since been credited with creating the popular "hot hatch" genre car enthusiasts enjoy.

Volkswagen Mk 8 Golf released in 2020.

Since its launch, and through several generations, Volkswagen has sold more than 35 million Golfs, making it one of the best-selling nameplates of all time. Volkswagen has introduced various variants of the Golf, including the SportWagen and Golf Alltrack, which have focused on extending the Golf's capabilities by giving the car more cargo room or all-wheel-drive depending on driver's desires. Similarly, the GTI, and since the Golf R, badges have attracted hardcore car enthusiasts who want more speed from the hatchback. The various generations of the Golf include:

• Golf Mk 1 (1974-1983)
• Golf Mk 2 (1983 - 1992)
• Golf Mk 3 (1991 - 1998)
• Gold Mk 4 (1997 - 2003)
• Golf Mk 5 (2003 - 2008)
• Golf Mk 6 (2008 - 2014)
• Golf Mk 7 (2014 - 2020)
• Golf Mk 8 (2020- )

One of Volkswagen's most iconic vehicles - next to only the Beetle, perhaps - was the VW Microbus. Designed by a Dutch importer in 1947, Volkswagen would release the Microbus in 1950 after some changes, and would immediately become a popular vehicle, with Volkswagen making over 9,500 of the vehicle in its first production year with growing production over the next two decades. In 2022, attempting to build on the Microbus, Volkswagen re-introduced a similar model vehicle as an all-electric vehicle named the ID.

Various models of the Volkswagen Microbus.

The Microbus would come in many variations that were both fun and outlandish: such as a double-door panel van, a high-roof panel van, and the Samba-bus which came with skylight windows and a cloth sunroof. One of biggest selling point of the van was the ability for the owner to customize it to fit their individual needs, converting the base model to suit a range of purpose, which saw owners add sinks, beds, or other useful outdoor accessories. The Microbus was not only popular, it had an impact on popular culture as the Microbus would become an icon of the hippie movement in the late 1960s. The vehicle would get many nicknames across various regions, including the Bully, Hippie-Van, Kleinbus, Rugbrod, Vee-Dub, and Camping-Car.

The first generation Volkswagen Jetta.

The Jetta began its nameplate as an afterthought; it was a slightly altered version of the popular Golf hatchback with extra space in an appended trunk. However, since then, the Jetta has become its own nameplate, one of Volkswagen's strongest selling cars, and has challenged some of the biggest manufacturers in the compact-sedan world. Generally, the Jetta has been known to provide good fuel economy in the base models, and offers a GLI variant (similar to the Golf GTI) which offers driver thrills. The first Jetta was introduced at the 1979 Frankfurt Auto Show.

Since then, the Jetta has gone through seven generations which have built upon the success of the originally introduced Mk. 1. These successive generations have introduced changes including more interior sophistication and a larger interior than the Golf to meet the demands of consumers looking to purchase a sedan. Through the 1990's, to keep up with consumer demand, the Jetta featured more horsepower with updated deigns, safety, and interiors. Whereas, in the 2010s, the Jetta generations have instead began offering high-horsepower fuel-efficient engines (with low emissions) along with various digital cockpit features (such as digital telematics and WiFi capability).

The 1998 Volkswagen Passat.

The Passat, initially launched in the 1970s, perhaps best encompasses the early vision of Volkswagen: practical vehicles for common people. Though the Beetle was launched in that spirit, it became so much more. The Passat, however, with its rather sedate trim with a slightly larger body, and minimalistic dashboard which the first generation launched with perfectly encapsulated this ethic. To call the Passat boring may be considered a compliment. Over its lifetime, the Passat has continued to evolve, including new variations - such as a wagon for more stowage room or an all-wheel-drive drivetrain for various weather conditions - to be styled at some points as a sporty vehicle or at other times to be a more comfort-focused vehicle. But throughout its lifetime, the Passat has been a mid-size sedan, which has tried to offer more in terms of passenger comfort and features than the Jetta.

History

On May 28, 1937, the government of Germany—then under the control of Adolf Hitler of the National Socialist (Nazi) Party—forms a new state-owned automobile company, then known as Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH. Later that year, it was renamed simply Volkswagenwerk, or “The People’s Car Company.”

Originally operated by the German Labor Front, a Nazi organization, Volkswagen was headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. In addition to his ambitious campaign to build a network of autobahns and limited access highways across Germany, Hitler’s pet project was the development and mass production of an affordable yet still speedy vehicle that could sell for less than 1,000 Reich marks (about $140 at the time). To provide the design for this “people’s car,” Hitler called in the Austrian and German automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche. In 1938, at a Nazi rally, the Fuhrer declared: “It is for the broad masses that this car has been built. Its purpose is to answer their transportation needs, and it is intended to give them joy.” However, soon after the KdF (Kraft-durch-Freude)-Wagen (“Strength-Through-Joy” car) was displayed for the first time at the Berlin Motor Show in 1939, World War II began, and Volkswagen halted production. After the war ended, with the factory in ruins, the Allies would make Volkswagen the focus of their attempts to resuscitate the German auto industry.

Volkswagen sales in the United States were initially slower than in other parts of the world, due to the car’s historic Nazi connections as well as its small size and unusual rounded shape. In 1959, the advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach launched a landmark campaign, dubbing the car the “Beetle” and spinning its diminutive size as a distinct advantage to consumers. Over the next several years, VW became the top-selling auto import in the United States. In 1960, the German government sold 60 percent of Volkswagen’s stock to the public, effectively denationalizing it. Twelve years later, the Beetle surpassed the longstanding worldwide production record of 15 million vehicles, set by Ford Motor Company’s legendary Model T between 1908 and 1927.

With the Beetle’s design relatively unchanged since 1935, sales grew sluggish in the early 1970s. VW bounced back with the introduction of sportier models such as the Rabbit and later, the Golf. In 1998, the company began selling the highly touted “New Beetle” while still continuing production of its predecessor. After nearly 70 years and more than 21 million units produced, the last original Beetle rolled off the line in Puebla, Mexico, on July 30, 2003.

Volkswagen is an internationally renowned German multinational automobile manufacturer. The brand created some of the best-selling cars in history, while the cars of this brand became the cars of the year.

Story

Volkswagen was founded by Adolf Hitler in 1937 to produce the car that would become known as the Beetle. Hitler entrusted development to Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche. He put forward the demand to create a strong and reliable car for the German people, worth no more than 1000 Reichsmarks. Moreover, production was to begin at a completely new, modern plant. He personally sketched a sketch on paper, and the name was born by itself - Volkswagen, which means "people's car" in German.

Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen slogan has changed. Production began under the motto "Strength through joy". In the 1950s and 1960s, the company had a significant increase in production levels. The company had a chance to survive the wars and continue to create new automotive designs and inventions.

Production of the company

The current and most popular products manufactured by Volkswagen:

• Commercial vehicles.

• Vehicles.

• Internal combustion engines.

• City and racing motorcycles.

• Turbomachines.

The company also has subsidiaries such as Audi AG, Bentley, Jetta, SEAT, S. A, Škoda Auto, Dampf-Kraft-Wagen, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and others.

Top selling

The company has top-selling car models like Golf and Beetle. These models are the third and fourth in the top-selling cars in the history of the automotive industry.

Quality, durability is the main key to the success of the company, which does not let it down for many years.