Volkswagen

Volkswagen (VW) is an automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Germany. It forms the core of Volkswagen AG (VAG), one of the world's four biggest car producers.

1948–1974: Icon for German regeneration

From 1948, Volkswagen became a very important element, symbolically and economically, of West German regeneration. Heinrich Nordhoff (1899–1968), a former senior manager at Opel who had overseen civilian and military vehicle production in the 1930s and 1940s, was recruited to run the factory in 1948. In 1949 Hirst left the company, now re-formed as a trust controlled by the West German government. Apart from the introduction of the "Type 2" commercial vehicle (van, pickup and camper) and the Karmann Ghia sports car, Nordhoff pursued the one-model policy until shortly before his death in 1968. Production of the "Type 1" VW Beetle (German: 'Käfer', US: 'Bug', Mexican: 'Vochito', French: 'Coccinelle', Portuguese: 'Carocha', Brazilian: 'Fusca') increased dramatically over the years, the total reaching one million in 1954.

Related Topics:
West German - Heinrich Nordhoff - Opel - Type 2 - Karmann Ghia - VW Beetle

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the 1960s and early 1970s, although the car was becoming out-dated, American exports, innovative advertising and a growing reputation for reliability helped production figures to surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T. By 1973 total production was over 16 million.

Related Topics:
1960s - 1970s - Advertising - Ford Model T

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

VW expanded their product line in 1967 with the introduction of several "Type 3" models, which were essentially body style variations (Fastback, Notchback, Squareback) based on "Type 1" mechanical underpinnings, and again in 1969 with the relatively unpopular "Type 4" (also known as "411" and "412") models, which differed substantially from previous models with the notable introduction of Unibody construction, a fully automatic transmission and fuel injection. In 1973 they introduced their military Model 181 "Thing" in America.

Related Topics:
Type 3 - Type 4 - Model 181 "Thing"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~