Volkswagen
The German vehicle manufacturer Volkswagen was formed out of the necessity for an affordable vehicle for “the people.” Volkswagen means “the people’s car.” Many car makers in the 1930’s made this task their own. The search for the people’s car was on. With many projects still in the early stages, Adolf Hitler announce his plans for a state-sponsored Volkswagen program. The vehicles produced would be capable of seating two adults and three children whilst traveling at 100 km/hr (roughly 62 miles per hour).
These vehicles would be made available to citizens of the Third Reich at a price not much more than that of a motorcycle. The engine Hitler chose for his Volkswagen program was the design of Ferdinand Porsche. After the war, Volkswagen collapsed. The company was taken apart and the factory was taken over by British Army officer Major Ivan Hirst. The plans for Volkswagen were to use its equipment as war reparations and repair of military vehicles, but after vehicles were presented to the British Army, this was not the case.
The British Army ordered 20,000 vehicles for the personnel from the occupying forces and the German Post office. Some personnel of the British Army were allowed to take their Beetles home upon demobilization. By 1946, the factory was producing over 1,000 cars a month. Three years later the Type 2 Commercial vehicle was introduced. Advertisement campaigns in the 1960’s proved to be very effective at getting the younger, sophisticated consumer to purchase their product. By 1973, the Volkswagen Beetle had reached more than sixteen million in production.
In the seventies, Volkswagen was in need of a successor to the Beetle. The company came out with the Polo, Golf and Passat. In modern day, the Volkswagen name is still known worldwide for their unique style and lasting nature. The Beetle was re-released in 2000 as the New Beetle. To this day, the model remains to be one of the most popular available.
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